Diana J. Howard

Diana Jean Howard went to Heaven on Sunday January 19th, 2025.

Diana was born on April 1st, 1948 in Joliet, Illinois to Howard and Dorothy Carlson. Diana grew up in Bradenton, Florida alongside her three siblings, Nancy, David and Susan. During her senior year at Southeast High School, she met the love of her life, Barry Howard. The couple were married August 8th, 1966 and welcomed their first child, Donald Robert the following year. Their daughter, Lisa Ann, completed their family in 1969. 

Diana and Barry built their house on Lorraine Road, the setting for over three decades of memories for their children and grandchildren, before retiring to Parrish. Diana was like a second mother to many of her children’s friends, always providing an open door and a home cooked meal to anyone who visited, no matter the time. 

After her children began school, Diana studied cosmetology. Throughout her profession as a hairdresser, Diana owned her own shop and worked in several others, being adored by her clients. Diana channeled her love through her hands, and displayed it through her passion for cooking, baking, and crafting. She instilled these hobbies in her granddaughters, encouraging their creativity and displaying their work throughout her home. She also made dozens of wedding cakes throughout the years for family and friends.

Diana and Barry shared a passion for travelling. Their favorite destination was Amish country because Diana admired their modest and devoted way of life. She adored camping with her grandchildren in their travel trailer, and spent the early years of her retirement traveling across the United States. 

Diana was preceded in death by her parents, Howard and Dorothy Carlson. 

Diana is survived by her husband, Barry; her children, Donald (Tracy) Howard and Lisa Randall; her grandchildren, Reagan and Nicholas Howard, Sierra and Tyler Randall; and her great granddaughter Parker.

Her life will be honored with family and friends on Wednesday, January 29th at Shannon Funeral Home in Bradenton. The viewing will be held at eleven in the morning, with the service following at noon. The graveside service will take place at Skyway Memorial in Palmetto afterward. 

The connections we make in the course of life — Maybe that’s what Heaven is.

You are gone, but thank you for all these soft, sweet things you left behind. In my home, in my head, in my heart.