Diane Lomas

Diane Foster Lomas
Date Of Birth: 12/19/1944
Date of Death: 01/31/2026

Diane Foster Lomas, of Beaverton, Oregon, passed away on January 31, 2026 after a courageous battle with breast cancer.

Diane was born on December 19, 1944 at Paris Island Naval Hospital, SC. She grew up on several Naval bases throughout the country, and China when father was stationed there. She graduated from Catalina High School in Tucson, AZ, and went on to graduate from Northern Arizona University with a Master's degree in Education. From there she lived in several cities within Arizona including Flagstaff, Williams, Sierra Vista, and Tucson as well as California (first teaching job), Florida, northern Minnesota, Indiana, and Oregon. Of all places, her love was of the desert, mountains, cacti, and quail.

Diane's greatest love in life was her family, and she will be most remembered for her unwavering love, strength, and fighting spirit for her children and grandchildren. Her favorite job was raising her children, planning summer vacations, crafts, and sewing projects. After her they were grown, she went on to continue to work as a teacher at Borton Magnet Elementary School in Tucson. She loved to teach children how to read, particularly working with children where English was a second language.

Diane is preceded in death by parents Capt. John Foster, USMC, and Lucille Foster, and sister Katherine Welshans. She is survived by her children Jennifer Peterson (spouse Jim Peterson), Jill Layton, and Robert Lomas III. She has seven loving grandchildren: Kendra Peterson, Emma Layton, Kaley Peterson, Jack Layton, Jon Layton, Jonah Peterson, and Heidi Lomas.

The family would like to extend gratitude to The Beaverton Lodge in Oregon where Diane resided for several years during retirement, and where she found friendship and fun.

Arrangements by Springer and Son Funeral Home. A private ceremony will be held in March 2026 in Tucson, AZ.

What Mom Took

Most often when we think of Mom
We think of what she's given;
The softness of a loving touch,
A gentle guide for living;
A nightly tip-toe in a room,
An understanding look;
But, sometimes when I think of Mom
I think of what she took.

She took a child and taught it how
To live this life with pride
She took those kindergarten tears,
And kept them all inside.
She took the hands that longed to hold
Her child and not let go
Used them to push her child along
The way, to thrive and grow.

Took time to do some other things
Like sew, and clean and cook,
And never thought to ask for thanks
For all the things she took.

Thanks, Mom.

© Judith Bond
1987