Dierdre Steele went home to be with her Lord Jesus on February 2, 2011, surrounded by her loving family after a courageous, 4½-year battle with cancer.

Dierdre, age 50, was born in Galveston, Texas, on April 20, 1960. She and husband Bill were married in 1985 in Kansas City, Missouri, and settled in the San Antonio area 12 years ago. Being raised in a military family, she moved a great deal throughout her younger years, so the place she truly called "home" was Richland Springs, Texas. Dierdre was an excellent cook, who studied culinary arts in Kansas City, and enjoyed cooking for her family and friends. She worked for Pedernales Electric Co-op in Johnson City for almost 10 years and cherished all the friends she made there. After diagnosis with cancer, she helped establish the San Antonio chapter of the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition and served as its public relations and spokesperson. She had a true passion for informing whomever she met about signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer, doing radio and TV interviews to help educate the public, in addition to mentoring newly-diagnosed women. She was instrumental in helping establish September as Ovarian Cancer Awareness month in San Antonio, turning the Tower of the Americas teal (the official color of Ovarian Cancer awareness), as well as performing much of the planning workload for the annual NOCC 5k run/walks. Her tenacity and commitment in this mission included countless hours of volunteer work. This was recognized in 2009 when she was named NOCC’s "Volunteer of the Year." She volunteered at North Central Baptist Hospital, as well as participated in the Survivors Teaching Students program. She was a member of Community Bible Church, San Antonio, Texas. Dierdre dearly loved her family, friends and pets. She will be missed for her witty sense of humor, positive attitude, sense of style, and take charge personality.

She is survived by her husband, William Steele of San Antonio, TX; mother, Barbara Smith Gober of San Antonio, TX; stepson, Randall Steele and wife Jacqui of Kansas City, MO; stepdaughter, Sherri Young and husband James III of Kansas City, MO; sister, Denise Gober of Pipe Creek, TX; sister, Daphne McGovern and husband Michael of Phoenix, AZ; sister, Darie O’Connor of San Antonio, TX; brother, Lowman Gober and wife Amanda of San Antonio, TX; brother, Jesse Gober and wife Veronica of Ft. Worth, TX; nephew, Christopher Shortt and wife Veronica of Pipe Creek, TX; nephews, Colin, Jacob, Spencer and Jesse O’Connor of San Antonio, TX; nephew, John McGovern of Phoenix, AZ; niece, Mary McGovern of San Antonio, TX; nieces, Kathryn, Meredith, Lia, and Ashley Gober of San Antonio, TX; nieces, Edie and Halle Gober of Ft. Worth; great-niece, Victoria Stiner of Pipe Creek, TX; great-nephew, Gabriel Stiner of Pipe Creek, TX; great-nephew, Izaiah Shortt of Pipe Creek, TX; and five step-grandchildren in Kansas City, MO. She also leaves behind her beloved black labs, Boomer Sooner, Daisy Mae, and Misty and two cats, Sissy and Toby.

Dierdre is preceded in death by her father, retired Army Colonel Lowman Emmett Gober, M.D., mother-in-law, Josephine Hottle, father-in-law, Waldo Steele, and brother-in-law, Michael O’Connor. The family received friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, February 4, 2011 at Porter Loring Mortuary North.

Service was Saturday 5, 2011 10:00 a.m. Community Bible Church 2477 N. Loop 1604 (Gold Canyon Exit). Interment at Holt Cemetery in San Saba, TX. Due to weather conditions the cemetery service was held at 3:30 PM at the Howell Doran Funeral Home Chapel in San Saba, TX 1901 W. Wallace (325)372-3923. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in her name can be sent to the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition, PO Box 700504, San Antonio, TX 78270-0504.

You are invited to sign the Guestbook at www.porterloring.com

Arrangements with Porter Loring Mortuary North 2102 North Lop 1604 East San Antonio, TX 78232 – (210) 495-8221