Diane Lynn Furst

Diane Furst passed away on Monday, February 9, 2026. A native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Diane moved to Houston in 1974. She is survived by her dear husband, Larry, beloved son, Michael, daughter-in-law, Natalie, grandchildren, Edith and Odelle, and cocker spaniel, Emma. She is also survived by her brother, Alan, and sister-in-law, Karen Bloch; brother, Billy, and sister-in-law, Rae Gold; nieces and nephews, Jason Bloch, Jessica and Albert Cohen, Lisa and Steven Rudick and son, Max, Erika and Deddy Kestenberg and son, Roi and daughter, Tal; and cousins, Mark and Cathy Fleischmann, Steve Fleischmann, Carol Bloch, and Garry and Cheryl Bloch. She was preceded in death by her wonderful daughter, Ellen. Diane was a computer programmer and systems analyst and was Financial Systems Manager at Gemstar TV Guide and Circulation Office Manager at The Houston Post. She was a Business Analyst at Baker Hughes, Lifemark, Pride International, Bay Houston Towing, and Oil States Energy Services. She also tutored inner city students in math and reading during her lunch hour. She volunteered for 4 years on the board of the Quest International Users Group and 20+ years on the Oracle HUG Houston Users Group board. Diane was a lifelong member of Congregation Emanu El and served on the Sisterhood board. She was a Keeper of the Gate for Hadassah and served on the GSW region board. She also served on the board of the West Houston Lodge of B’nai B’rith. She was a lifelong resident of Meyerland and volunteered as a CAP Ambassador for Houston City Council, taking notes at the monthly MCIA board meetings She was co-advisor for Cyrus Adler AZA #434, served on the HSPVA PTO board as Directory Chair, was co-advisor for Girl Scouts at the JCC, Den Mother for Pack 455 Cub Scouts, and served on the Troop Committee for BSA Troop 806. She was also a co-leader for the Girl Scouts Brownies when Ellen was in the troop. Diane and Larry moved to Los Angeles for 4 ½ years while Michael attended Art Center College of Design, acquiring a Transportation Design BS, and then returned to Houston. Michael is now a car designer at Ford Motor Company in Dearborn, Michigan. Diane worked at TV Guide and Gilead Sciences and served on the board of the SoCal Oracle Users Group. Diane was a first-generation American and researched her parents’ roots in Germany and their travels to France then to New York City then Pittsburgh in 1936. She connected with newly discovered cousins in Strasbourg, France, Brooklyn, New York, and St. Louis, Missouri. A graveside service will take place on Friday, February 13, 2026, at 12:30 pm at Emanu El Memorial Park, 8341 Bissonnet Street, Houston, Texas 77074. Donations in Diane’s memory may be made to Hadassah, www.hadassah.org, or the Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center of Houston, www.erjcchouston.org.

Diane Lynn Furst

June 6, 1949 - February 9, 2026