SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 599
In Memory
of
Jayne Word Dibrell
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas honors and
commemorates the life of Jayne Word Dibrell, who died on April
25, 2023, at the age of 93; and
WHEREAS, Jayne Word was born on November 16, 1929, in
Oklahoma City to Orville and Margie Word; Jayne's father served
in the United States Army as a civil engineer, and the family
moved with him to Fort Belvoir, Virginia, when he was called to
active duty during World War II; and
WHEREAS, Jayne graduated from Tyler High School in 1947 and
briefly attended Gulf Park College in Mississippi before moving
to occupied Japan where her father was stationed; she returned to
Austin in 1949 to attend The University of Texas, where she
joined the Delta Gamma sorority and earned a bachelor's degree in
speech therapy; and
WHEREAS, After marrying Joe Dibrell in 1952, Jayne and her
husband moved to Coleman, his hometown, to begin their life
together; a recent graduate of The University of Texas School of
Law, Joe opened a law practice, and Jayne commenced her career as
a speech therapist in Coleman County schools, always making time
for civic engagement; a committed Democrat and political
activist, Jayne contributed her time and energy to supporting her
husband's successful bid for district judge, speaking on his
behalf at political rallies and later working for phone banks for
several Democratic candidates; and
WHEREAS, Jayne and Joe moved to Austin in 1973, where she
spent 12 years in private practice as a speech pathologist after
earning her master's degree in speech pathology from her alma
mater; an avid gardener, ceramicist, and lover of the arts, Jayne
served as a museum docent for many years; she and her husband were
longtime patrons of ballet, opera, symphony orchestras, and
visual arts in Austin and elsewhere; they were fans of Lady
Longhorns basketball, and they enjoyed traveling on their own and
with Friendship Force International and cooking with their
gourmet dinner group for over 20 years; and
WHEREAS, Jayne was a dedicated mother to her children, Will
and Margaret, and a loving grandmother to her granddaughter,
Elinor, and great-grandsons Colby and Owen; she was a generous
woman who immeasurably enriched the lives of her colleagues and
friends, and her enthusiasm, love of life, and kindness will not
be forgotten by all who were privileged to share in her life; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 88th
Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved
family of Jayne Word Dibrell; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
her family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the Texas
Senate and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it do so in
memory of Jayne Word Dibrell.
Eckhardt
________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on May 16, 2023, by a
rising vote.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate