Diane Weiss

Diane was born on March 2, 1956 and adopted by Gordon and Sylvia Merrill in Seattle, WA. She moved to Helena, MT at the age of five. Much of her childhood was spent in Helena with her brother Mark. Diane knew from a young age that she wanted to be a teacher. She played school with Mark and would make him be the student. Diane graduated valedictorian of her high school class of 633 students in 1974 and went on to Greeley, CO to get a special education teaching degree. She achieved the 4-year degree in just a little over two years. It was there that she met Mike Weiss, her husband of 39 years this last June 5th. She graduated in 1976. They moved to Casper, WY in 1984 and raised two children, Heather and Patrick. Diane went on to serve various student needs over the years in Special Education. She insisted that students work hard to do their best but she also wanted each student to learn about day to day life for when they would be on their own. She also received her Master's degree in 1990 at UW, but stayed in the classroom to work with children. Over her 35-year career she worked out of the state and at the Casper elementary schools of: Mountain View, Oregon Trail, North Casper, Bar Nunn, University Park, and Grant. Among her accomplishments in education, she opened the behavior and social skills classroom at North Casper for the first year the district attempted the model, she won the special education teacher of the year in 1993, received the medallion of excellence, helped to start an incentive pay program for teaching assistants, taught at Casper College, received her National Board Certification, established Missoula Children's Theater visits in a few schools, and assisted University Park in receiving the blue ribbon of excellence. She was first a reading coach and then an instructional facilitator for Natrona County School District #1 for a period of five years until one night in early March of 2012. Diane had a seizure that was determined to come from a brain tumor. In the past two years Diane has endured two brain surgeries, radiation, chemotherapy, rehabilitation for loss of mobility, speech therapy, and a whole list of treatments meant to help her have quality time with her family. She also wanted desperately to return to her work as an educator. This is what she dedicated her life to and so it was no surprise when she became sick with brain cancer that she did not want to retire. She was able to have one more year with students after the diagnosis. She persevered with strength through her life as well as her battle with cancer. Anyone who knew Diane also knew her love of strawberries, making dolls, education, travelling, dogs, the Broncos, shopping, holidays, decorations, kid's movies, her friends, and her family. She wasn't shy about doing what she thought was best. However, those who knew her well also knew that everything she did in education was centered around what she thought best for kids. Everything she did in her family was centered around her care for her loved ones. Many friends came to the Weiss home to help Diane after mobility became an issue. Many friends also visited her in the hospital, at home, at Elkhorn, and finally at Central WY Hospice. Housework was done, meals were delivered, flowers were sent, and many other kindnesses were shown to her and her family. It meant so much to Diane that she had support, particularly among colleagues in Natrona County School District #1. When she finally had no choice but to retire, she felt honored and appreciated at the district's retirement dinner as well as her private party at Elkhorn. She passed away the evening of August 21, 2014 at the age of 58. Survivors include her husband, Mike Weiss of Casper; brother, Mark (Sheila) Merrill of Las Vegas, NV; daughter, Heather Weiss (Carlos Rivera) of Independence, OR; son, Patrick (Jessica) Weiss of Casper; and grandchildren, CJ, Ceciliee, Armondo, Caroline, and Jackson. She was preceded in death by her father, Gordon and mother, Sylvia. Diane's requests for the memorial service included: being open to all school district colleagues, friends, and family; wear something that has red in it to the funeral; please honor her with flowers sent to First United Methodist Church, 302 E. 2nd, Casper, WY, 82601. Her memorial service will be Friday afternoon, August 29, 4:30, at the First United Methodist Church downtown across from the public library.