Diana Lucille Antoniello

Diana Lucille Norman Antoniello, age 76, passed away peacefully in her home in Arlington, Texas on November 5, 2024. 

Diana was born in Tulsa, OK on January 19, 1948 to James Ramsey Norman and Audrey Lucille Hale Norman. Diana lived her life in the two Southern US states of Oklahoma and Texas and she was very much a proud, southern woman. She was the middle child in a family of five. Her father was a police officer and her mother worked as an executive assistant. Diana graduated from Tulsa Memorial High School in 1966. After graduation, she attended Austin College in Sherman, Texas, where she met her future husband and love of her life, Donald Robert Antoniello. After graduating in 1969 and 1970 respectively, the young couple was married in 1970.They began their married life together in Irving, TX and then moved to Arlington, TX in 1977, where they lived together until Don died in 2023 and where Diana continued to live till her own passing. 

For 30 years, Diana was a dedicated teacher. She started her teaching career teaching 5th grade at Lively Elementary in Irving. However, most of her teaching career was spent in Arlington, where she taught classes at Tate Springs Christian School, 4th grade at Key Elementary, and 2nd grade at Duff Elementary. While she retired in 2006, whenever she was out and about, she was still frequently recognized and joyfully greeted by former students and their parents who had never forgotten her.

Diana and Don loved to travel, first on family trips and then as a couple after their kids graduated from college. Diana’s favorite trips included Disney World & Disneyland, the Pacific NW, Nashville, and New England. Diana was born in Oklahoma, but she loved beautiful Texas sunsets, country music, and wildflowers – all things that Texas abundantly provided for her. Her love languages were gift giving and acts of service. She loved to buy gifts – especially for her grandchildren and nephews until the end. And she spent her life serving others, including the children she taught as a teacher; her husband, kids, and grandkids; and the many friends and acquaintances she made along the way.

Diana became a grandma in 2002 and took enormous pride and joy in her four grandchildren. She loved spending retirement hanging out at family dinners, little league games, recitals, and traveling. In 2019 Diana was diagnosed with an especially aggressive cancer, Uterine Sarcoma. She fought it bravely and it appeared she had succeeded in conquering it. But the cancer reappeared in early 2024. She once again fought bravely and with great dignity but ultimately lost the battle.

Above all, Diana is remembered by her family as a Godly woman who trusted in the Lord, looked for opportunities to be the hands and feet of God, and who was an unwavering prayer warrior. Diana and Don were part of the Tate Springs Baptist Church and Fielder Road Baptist Church families for 47 years.

Diana was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Antoniello; parents, James and Audrey Norman; her brother, Jim Norman, and his wife Kay, and four-legged members of the family Gus, Ernie, Bert, Bodacious, and Toby.

She is survived by daughter Deawn Antoniello Goedderz and her husband Ralph; son Darren Robert Antoniello and his wife Maisie Chan Antoniello; grandchildren, Dominick James Goedderz, Sophia Michelle Goedderz, Liam Anthony Antoniello, and Matthew Robert Antoniello; sister, Sherry Norman Sybesma; and many much-loved nephews and other family members.

A memorial service will be held at Tate Springs Baptist Church at 4201 Little Rd, Arlington, TX 76016 on Monday, December 16, 2024 at 11am. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you consider a donation in Diana’s memory to the Tate Springs Baptist Church – Crossover Project, which is designed to develop a center to reach the Arlington community where Diana lived and served. Donations can be made online at https://www.tatesprings.com/give using the dropdown box to choose "Project Crossover”. Donations can also be made by check, with checks made out to "Tate Springs Baptist Church" and “For Project Crossover" written in the notes section. Checks can be mailed to 4201 Little Road, Arlington, TX 76016.