Diana Kathryn (Metcalf) Biras transitioned peacefully from this life on September 25, 2024. She spent her last days in hospice care at deGreeff Hospice House at Mercy South surrounded by her family and friends. Her last hours were with her children.

Diana loved her family beyond measure and was deeply loved by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her children are Shelly Slade, Michael Slade and Dawn (Tony) Jerger. Her grandchildren and great grandchildren are Justin (Jessica) Camille (d. 2020), Nadia & Callan Slade; Casey Kozozemski, Drew (Gabrielle) Eloise & Theodore Slade; Megan (John) & Delilah Clynes; Jake (Taylor) & Sam Slade, Jamie (Brett) & Jackson Jones; Kelly Jerger & Caroline Slade. Her large loving family also include her late husband Larry’s family, Steve (Donna) & their children Emily & Eric, and Kim & Keith Biras.

Diana was born in 1944 in St. Louis, Missouri to Benjamin Franklin Metcalf, Jr. (d. 1983), and Marie Minerva Roediger (d. 2015). She grew up in St. Louis, Pekin Illinois and Danville Illinois with her siblings, Beverly Alexander, Susan Brown (d. 2018), Benjamin Franklin Metcalf III (d. 2017), Sally Rotary, Jack Metcalf and Marjorie Polizzi (d. 2008). She was especially close to her godmother, her aunt Dorothy Groeteke (d. 2004). Diana attended Danville High School and several community colleges throughout her life. She married Tom Slade in 1961 and had 3 children with him. They lived in Texas, Oakwood, IL and Jackson MI until their divorce in 1983.

In 1983, Diana moved to St. Louis and began working at Leonard Haertter Travel Company as a travel agent, where she enjoyed booking and guiding tours for the American Horticultural Society throughout the world for many years until her retirement. In her free time, she volunteered for the St. Louis Literary Society teaching adults to read. While in St. Louis, she met and married Larry Biras (d. 2016) in 1987. They were happily married and enjoyed traveling and golfing together until his death in 2016. Diana and Larry lived in Fenton, Missouri for many years and Diana served on the Fenton City Parks Board from 2003 until 2017. She was also serving on the Ladies’ Auxiliary Board at SSM St. Clare Hospital until her death.

After Larry’s passing, Diana moved to St. Louis County and enjoyed getting to know her neighbors, volunteering, reading, gardening, going to the Muny theater shows, walking through the Missouri Botanical Gardens and playing Bunco with some of her many friends. Diana was a beautiful, kind and loving person who made friends everywhere she went. She was a light in the lives of all who knew and loved her.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the St. Clare Hospital Auxiliary, 1015 Bowles Avenue, Fenton, MO 63026 or to the Missouri Botanical Gardens at https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/donate/commemorative-giving .

A celebration of Diana’s life will be held from 1 pm to 5 pm on Sunday, October 6th, 2024 at Tapawingo Golf Club, 13001 Gary Player Dr., St. Louis, MO 63127.