
Diane “Bebe” Allen Bannen died Friday, May 11, 2018 after a sudden illness, at Baylor Scott & White All Saints Medical Center in Fort Worth, Texas.
She was born February 19, 1940, in Lawrence, the daughter of Harold and Barbara Jane Allen. She graduated from Sunset Hill School in Kansas City in 1958. She attended the University of Kansas, where she was a member of the Delta Gamma sorority, and later graduated from Georgia State University with a degree in psychology.
Diane led an adventurous life, holding many jobs and living in a wide variety of places including San Francisco, Atlanta, Yosemite National Park, Virginia, Alabama, Indiana, and Los Angeles. She was active in local and national politics and enjoyed genealogical research. She was a member of Mensa, the Red Hat Society, and Daughters of the American Revolution. She was also active in her church.
She was previously married to Grant Bannen on January 18th, 1969 in Reno, NV. He lives in Orlando, Florida.
Diane was preceded in death by her parents, and a sister, Elaine Forman. She is survived by two sons, Mike, Overland Park (wife Megan); Grant, Fort Worth, Texas (wife Stacy); three sisters, Dede Dresser, Lawrence, Kansas (husband Guy), Lenore Allen, Bayfield, Colorado (husband A.J.), Barbara Wasson, New York City (husband Doug); two brothers, Arly Allen, Oxford, Ohio, Rand Allen, Lawrence, Kansas (wife Gail); four grandchildren, Gus and Hank, Overland Park, Kansas, Lane and Emma Jane, Fort Worth, Texas, nineteen nieces and nephews, and her beloved dog Edie.
Visitation will be at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 19, followed by funeral service at 10:00. Private burial at Oak Hill Cemetery following the service.
The family suggests memorial donations to the American Liver Foundation.
I will miss this sharp, witty, Mensan.
Dearest Friend and Delta Gamma Sister. Your laugh, humor and spirit will be truly saddened by all who were fortunate to have shared life moments with you. She will always be in heart and reveries.
I knew Bebe in our mutual work environment long ago and I also knew her as a member of the fabulous Allen family, all of whom are smart, dedicated, creative, and witty. She will live on in many
of our hearts.
Bebe was special…smart, funny, and fun to be around. I was saddened to learn of her passing.
Always will remember our dance in Rock Chalk Review to “You Gotta Have A Gimmick “. We were good! So sad to say goodby.