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