82R9090 JBA-D
By: Hunter H.R. No. 657
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Family and friends are mourning the loss of Diana
Kirby of Rockport, who passed away on February 10, 2011, at the age
of 53; and
WHEREAS, Born in Fairbanks, Alaska, Diana Maria Kirby grew up
in Memphis, Tennessee, and Irving; she earned a bachelor's degree
in history from Memphis State University and a master's degree in
education counseling from Corpus Christi State University; she also
did graduate work in public history at the University of Houston;
and
WHEREAS, Ms. Kirby was able to turn her love of history into a
career, and she worked at museums and historic sites for three
decades; in 1984, she moved to Rockport to serve as the curator at
the Fulton Mansion State Historic Site and she was promoted to
director soon thereafter; in 2008, her expertise and experience
were rewarded when she was promoted to historic site supervisor for
the Texas Historical Commission, and she divided her time between
Rockport and Austin; in her new position, she was responsible for
overseeing 10 sites around the state, including the Fulton Mansion,
the National Museum of the Pacific War in Fredericksburg, the Sam
Rayburn House Museum in Bonham, and the Varner-Hogg Plantation in
West Columbia; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Kirby loved to travel with family and friends
and enjoyed trips to Europe and Canada as well as antiquing jaunts
around Texas; she was known for her warm and giving nature and was
an excellent listener who could always be counted on to give wise
and caring advice; and
WHEREAS, Greatly admired for her dedication to the rich
history of the Lone Star State, Diana Kirby made a positive
difference in the lives of countless people, and she has left behind
a legacy that will continue to resonate for years to come; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Diana Maria Kirby
and extend sincere condolences to the members of her family: to her
life partner of 25 years, Ruth Davis; to her mother, Jen Kirby; to
her stepmother, Sandra Kirby; to her brothers, Tony Kirby and
Richard "Sam" Kirby and his wife, Leigh; to her sister, Donna
Barnett, and her husband, Donald; to her stepbrother, Steve Bell;
and to her other relatives and many friends; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for her family and that when the Texas House of
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Diana
Kirby.