Diane Holland

Diane Holland, age 76 of Tomball, passed away April 27, 2016. The Addison family and staff of Magnolia Funeral Home extend condolences to her family and friends. An equally fitting tribute other than flowers (which she loved) to Diane would be to donate to one of the following two charities: Tomball Museum Society 510 N Pine St. Tomball, Texas 77375 OR TOMAGWA Health Care Ministies 455 School Street, Ste. 30 Tomball, TX 77375 OR The charity of your choice. In Memory of Diane N. Holland September 27, 1939 - April 27, 2016 Diane N. Holland died at her home in Tomball, Texas, surrounded by family and loved ones on April 27, 2016. During her ten-month battle with cancer she displayed the same positive attitude and fun-loving spirit that she had for her entire 76 years of life. Diane is survived by her son Brett Nicholson, his wife Rebecca, and their children Joseph, John, James, and Julia of Katy, Texas; son Cdr. (USN-Retired) Wes Nicholson, his wife Andrea, and their children Kasey and Joshua of Corinth, Texas; daughter Lee Ann Fuselier, her husband Rob, and their children Madeleine, Olivia, and Jude of Orange, Texas; step-daughter Connie Cuoco and her husband Jim of Dripping Springs, Texas; step-daughter Dawn Greener, her husband Tim of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, and their daughter Tiffany Huet and husband Jared Gillman of Portland, Oregon; brother Dwayne Kunz and his wife Leigh Farmer of Cypress, Texas; and numerous cousins whom she loved very much. She is preceded in death by her parents Margie Nell (Williams) and Louis Kunz. Diane was born on September 27, 1939 in Austin, Texas. She was raised in Houston and graduated from Milby High School with honors in 1957. She attended the University of Texas in Austin, Texas for one year as a Dance Major before transferring to Sam Houston University in Huntsville, Texas. She was active in many organizations, including a founding member of the Key Club and a cheerleader, and she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education with a Minor in Journalism in 1960. Upon graduation, Diane returned to Houston where she was employed as a Junior High and Special Education Teacher for Houston ISD for four years. She married Daniel L. Nicholson on July 28, 1962 in Houston. Together they lived in San Francisco, Atlanta, and Houston before moving back to Dan's hometown of Tomball with their children in 1971. They were married for 16 years and the historic Juergens' family farmhouse which they remodeled together remained Diane's beloved home until her final day. Diane went to work for the Tomball Area Chamber of Commerce in 1973 and poured her heart and soul into her job as President of this non-profit organization for more than 20 years. Diane nurtured Tomball's hometown atmosphere by planning and promoting many community events including 4th of July Festivals and Fireworks Displays, Tomball Night Celebrations, Miss Tomball Pageants and Annual Tomball Holiday Parades, just to name a few. She was instrumental in bringing many new businesses to the community and was recognized across the state as a leader in economic development and chamber of commerce management. She was active in the Gulf Coast Chamber Executives and the Texas Chamber of Commerce Executives where she served as the organization's first female President in its 82-year history from 1988-1989. She also served on the Board of Regents and as an instructor for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute. Diane received the TCCE Distinguished Service Award in 1986, was named Tomball Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year in 1987, and was recognized as Outstanding Business Woman of the Year by the Houston Federation of Women in 1988. Diane married Wayne Holland on May 24, 1980. They were married for 18 years and together owned and operated Apollo Express, a courier service which served the greater Houston area. They were both active volunteers for Tomball's Little League Association, and were proud to be a part of the team of coaches for Tomball's 1982 Senior League Softball Texas State Champions. After retiring from the Tomball Chamber, Diane later returned to work as Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations for Klein Bank from 2000 to 2004, and then as Project Manager in Community Relations for Lone Star College from 2004 to 2007. She was appointed by Tomball City Council as Chairman of Tomball Centennial Celebration Committee from 2002 to 2007, recruiting and organizing hundreds of volunteers and supporters to plan and execute monthly events and activities during a year-long celebration of Tomball's Centennial Birthday, including a two-day Tomball Heartbeat Music Festival which attracted over 10,000 visitors to the community, and a Grand Finale Birthday Celebration at the Tomball High School Stadium which included musical performances, a historical flashback featuring area students, a fireworks production, and a special keynote address from President George H.W. Bush. Diane worked as President of the Magnolia Parkway Chamber of Commerce from 2008 to 2012, where she greatly improved the organization's community identity, added and expanded many programs and activities, and increased membership from 70 to 270 members. Diane served for 8 years as an elected City Councilmember for the City of Tomball and remained extremely active in community and volunteer activities throughout her life. Some of the other entities and organization Diane devoted her time to included: Tomball Industrial Development Corporation, Tomball PTA, Tomball Little League, Tomball Business & Professional Women, American Business Women's Association, Tomball Study Club, Tomball Cub Scouts, Tomball Boy Scouts, Boy Scouts of America, First Baptist Church of Tomball, Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo Go Texan Committee and Speakers Bureau, Tomball ISD Volunteer Boards and Committees, Tomball Cancer Society, Tomball Industrial Development Corporation, Tomball Sesquicentennial Committee, Tomball Parks Board, North Houston Economic Development Showcase Steering Committee, Tomball Chamber Ambassador Committee, NHMCCC Foundation Board, Lone Star College Advisory Board, The Regional Arts Council, Tomball Pachyderm Club, Yellow Rose of Texas Republican Women, Tomball Museum Center & Spring Creek County Historical Association, TOMAGWA, and Salem Lutheran Church. Diane was a woman of many talents and abilities. She loved to dance and as a young girl played the piano at a local dance studio in exchange for dance lessons. She continued her study of dance in college and would forever jump at the chance to cut-a-rug, jitter-bug, or two-step the night away. She was a gifted seamstress, like her mother, and made most of her daughter's prom dresses, as well as tailored suits, dresses, and costumes for herself and others. She loved to entertain people and was known for her costumed skits, and for her prose and poetry. She could draw and paint, and could fix, build or create most anything. She enjoyed gardening and reading. She was a licensed pilot, and she was also fluent in Spanish, thanks to community college courses and 17 years of loving tutoring provided by her faithful friend and companion Cecilio Avalos. Diane loved people and was most happy when she was helping others. She was a loyal friend, and a mentor and second-mother to many. She loved her children and grandchildren with all of her heart. Until her last breath, she was a wonderful example of courage, faith, and strength during adversity, showing others how a bright smile decorated with a stroke of red lipstick could make the world a better, happier place. She will be greatly missed, but her spirit will live on in the people who she inspired and in her hometown of Tomball that she loved so very much. See this link for memorial service information: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10207725575890635&set=a.116133468678 0.24896.1630208360&type=3&theater 