DIANE SUE DONALDSON - Class of 1967

Diane Sue Donaldson peacefully departed this earthly realm on November 9, 2008, the victim of a virulent metastatic melanoma.

Diane was born on December 16, 1949 in Wichita Falls, Texas. In her early years she lived the nomadic life as part of an Air Force family. She saw the world, with stops in "scenic" Lubbock, Texas, two Air Force bases in Japan, Colorado Springs, Colorado, and finally back home in San Antonio. After graduating from the University of Texas in 1971, Diane began her work career with USAA. After several years in San Antonio she returned to Austin and was hired by the Health and Human Services Commission. She served the State of Texas for more than 28 years, retiring in 2002.

Through her work years and in retirement, Diane always enjoyed life to the fullest, whether traveling, savoring fine food and wine, enjoying concerts, plays, and art, or attending the swim meets, band contests, basketball games, dance recitals, and baseball games of her nieces and nephew. Diane always seemed to have a good time, always ready with a laugh. She was highly supportive and encouraging to her young nieces and nephew as they grew up. She was a loving, gracious, and generous sister, sister-in-law, aunt, and friend, and we will all miss her more than words can say. She simply was not given enough time on this earth.

Diane was preceded in death by her parents Glenn and Janice. She is survived by her brothers, Darrell and Dale; sisters-in-law, Debbie and Kathleen; nieces, Emma, Audrey, Abigael, and Alexandra; nephew, Jacob; great-nephew, Dylan; and best friends, Karen White and Anne Turney.

According to her wishes, there will be a celebration of Diane's life at her house, date and time to be determined. The family wishes to gratefully thank Hospice Austin and all its caregivers for the loving comfort they gave to Diane. Memorial contributions can be made to Hospice Austin.

Published in the Austin American-Statesman on 11/11/2008

Submitted by her brother Darrell Donaldson:

Darrell.Donaldson@tyc.state.tx.us

ANN MAIORANO NIGRO - 11/26/2008

ANN MAIORANO NIGRO passed away Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2008, in Las Vegas, at the age of 87 years old. Ann was born in Worcester, Mass., July 25, 1921, to Michael and Mary Maiorano, Italian immigrants. Her father was a laborer and her mother worked in a hospital laundry. Ann attended North High School in Worcester, where she met her husband to be, Edward H. Nigro, whom she married at the age of 19. Her husband entered the U.S. Army Air Corps upon graduation from Holy Cross College. During the next 27 years Ann was an Air Force wife giving birth to four sons. In 1967, Major General Nigro, a veteran of World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War, took early retirement at the age of 47 and joined Howard Hughes Corporation in Las Vegas. Ann shouldered her new responsibilities as a corporate wife during both the general's tenure as the first president of the Howard Hughes' Sands Hotel until his death in 1973 when president of Del Webb Hotels. The sudden death of her husband, of 33 years, and the accidental death of her 18 year old son one year later were extraordinary burdens. Ann immersed herself in her interior design work, her family and friends where she found support and strength. Ann never remarried and is survived by her three sons, Edward Nigro of Las Vegas, Arthur Nigro of Williamsburg, Va., and Theodore Nigro of Youngsville, La.; five grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. A private celebration of her life will be held at the Nigro residence and she will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery with her husband. The family requests in lieu of flowers a donation be made to the Nellis Support Team which provides assistance to the Airman of Nellis Air Force Base at Nellis Support Team, 10777 W. Twain, Ave., Suite 333, Las Vegas, NV 89135.

Submitted by her son Art Nigro: ajnigro@cox.net

MARY P. RIMMER (Jan Rimmer Muske's Mom)

Mary P. Rimmer, 84, of Belton, passed away on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2008 in Belton.

Mrs. Rimmer was born Dec. 6, 1923, in Faulkner, Miss., to Lawrence Sims Pearce and Era Estelle McCown Pearce. She married John M. Rimmer on July 30, 1943, in Memphis, Tenn. She moved to Belton in 2007, having lived in College Station, San Antonio and Port Charlotte, Fla. During life as a military wife, she lived in San Antonio, Big Spring, and overseas in Turkey and the Philippines.
She was active in Women of the Chapel at various military bases and did volunteer work for both the military and the local community organizations. Upon her death, she was a member of Taylor’s Valley Church in Temple. She was preceded in death by a son, William P. Rimmer on Februray 1, 1992, and her husband, John M. Rimmer, of 62 years on Jan. 27, 2006.

She is survived by a daughter, Jan Muske and husband, Bill, of Belton and two grandchildren, Richard Muske of Dallas and Susan Muske Craig and husband Wesley of Bucharest, Romania, along with several nieces and nephews.
Burial will follow in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio.

Submitted by her daughter: Jan Rimmer Muske - rettea04@gmail.com