Sister Mary Diane Langford, CDP
November 2, 1946 – February 23, 2025
Sister Mary Diane Langford, CDP (born November 2, 1946) began enjoying eternal life on February 23, 2025. She was 78. She was preceded in death by her parents Roy Hayne and Mary Alison (Hart) Langford. She grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with her four siblings whom she treasured. She intended to join the Dominican Order from Sinsinawa, Wisconsin, but God’s Providence showed her the way to San Antonio, Texas. She attended Our Lady of the Lake College. Within a few years she entered the Congregation of Divine Providence (CDP) Convent. It was a time when the CDP, like most other Catholic orders of women religious, were experiencing a time of great change and transition. Her faith and trust in her provident God saw her through the years between this entry and her first profession of vows as a Sister of Divine Providence in 1979.
She was a gifted and multi-talented, faith-filled woman who did not shy away from a challenge. Sister Diane’s outlook on life was to take it all in, give voice to a cause or idea, sit and contemplate on what was not understood, relish what she did grasp, and learn and grow from the entire process. She was once described as a historian by profession, scripture scholar by choice, go-getter/overseer of busy projects by necessity, but she was much more. She was an author with three published books. She composed dozens of “homilies” and great Christmas letters. She earned three degrees: a Bachelor of Arts in History, and a Master of Arts in Counseling from Our Lady of the Lake College. She also earned a Master of Arts in Pastoral Theology from St. Mary-of-the-Woods College, in Indiana.
She thoroughly enjoyed her pastoral ministries in seven different parishes, located in Oklahoma, Kansas, and Missouri. She flourished in community life, with her congregation or with those in her parish. Her heart was as big as her sense of humor and jolly laughter. She attributed her mother’s example of faith, spirituality, and love of reading for cultivating it in her and her sister Terry. The response of her friends from St. Peter’s Parish to a post on their Facebook page is just one testament to the positive and deep impact Sister Diane made in many lives.
Sister Diane was elected to the 1999-2005 CDP’s leadership team. Her time and talents were devoted to many things, which included overseeing structural renovations to three separate areas of Our Lady of the Lake Convent Center. She chronicled the historical fiction biography of Mother St. Andrew Feltin, CDP, foundress of the Sisters of Divine Providence in her published book THE TATTERED HEART. She also developed the Formation Handbook for the Associates of the Congregation of Divine Providence. This handbook continues to be of service to the Congregation. Yet, amid all these grand projects, her discussions, bonding and community time with her CDP Sisters and the many friends she made through her ministries were the most life-giving for her.
Sister Diane is held dear and survived by her Sisters of Divine Providence and her beloved siblings and their families: Teresa Langford, Houston, TX; Regina (Robert) Decker, Tulsa, OK; Vincent Langford, Fort Worth, TX; and Michael (Patricia), Odessa, TX; nieces and nephews: Christine Callison, St. Louis, MO; Seth (Monica) Langford, Odessa TX; Megan (Brian) Desmarais, Tulsa, OK; Mallory Langford, Odessa, TX; Terese (Sean) McGowan, Golden, CO; and Alex Langford, Kailua, HI; grand nieces and nephews, in order by age: Sophie Desmarias, Teddy Callison, Max Langford, Paul Desmarais, Violet Langford, Isabelle Langford, Chloe Langford, and Pax Desmarais.
The Rosary will be on Friday, March 7, 4:30 p.m., and Wake, at 6 p.m. Her Mass of Resurrection will be on Saturday, March 8, at 11:00 a.m. All services will be held at Annunciation Chapel, at Our Lady of the Lake Convent, 603 SW 24th Street, San Antonio, Texas 78207.
In lieu of flowers, you may wish to make a memorial contribution to the Sisters of Divine Providence, 603 S.W. 24th Street, San Antonio, Texas 78207-4619.