“Houston’s Most Notable” —Los Fresnos Raised

Updated: March 28, 2024

Iris Garcia
Special to LFN

Earlier this year, the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation held their annual Winter Ball where they honored some of Houston’s most notable women for their leadership, service to the community, and commitment to volunteerism. The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation is a non-profit, volunteer-fueled organization dedicated to finding cures for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, and improving the quality of life of children and adults affected by these diseases.

“For more than 35 years, the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation Winter Ball has been a wonderful opportunity to showcase Houston’s most philanthropic, volunteer, and corporate leaders. They also celebrate those Champions who continue to make finding cures and better treatments possible for people living with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. The ball not only honors these remarkable women, but it also serves to bring more awareness to Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, and raise funds for the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation,“ according to the Winter Ball site.

Among the distinguished honorees was a Los Fresnos native, Mrs. Diana “Stick” Delaup. She is the daughter of Ann and David Meyn, who on their own accord, are exemplary for their leadership and contributions to the city and community of Los Fresnos. Ms. Meyn is a retired librarian and former Ethel L. Whipple Memorial Library director, and Mr. Meyn was an integral part of the Los Fresnos Volunteer Fire Department where he served as a volunteer fireman and Chief for 28 years. In an excerpt found in the Winter Ball’s program, it states that, “volunteering was learned quite early from Stick’s parents. In the small town of Los Fresnos, everyone pitches in. It is an example to see your parents parking cars at football games, working the concession stands, volunteering in church, and chaperoning any bus on band trips!”

While a student in Los Fresnos, Mrs. Delaup was a cheerleader, in band, played basketball, and ran track. And if you’re wondering how she got her nickname “Stick”, she says, her algebra teacher, Mr. Barrera, would give nicknames to his students, and it just “stuck.”

As she continues to follow in the example her parents instilled in her, going on her 28th year volunteering with the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo (HLSR), her 19th year as a member of Ladies into Purchasing Stock (LIPS), her 12th year as a member of the Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary, and as the current President of the Barbara Bush Library Guild, she shared these words of wisdom for the future generations, “work hard, read as much as you can, hold your family and faith close and one really does have to actually speak to others rather than just a text or email!”

We join in celebrating and honoring Mrs. Diana “Stick” Delaup, one of our own, for her remarkable efforts and unwavering spirit to serve. She makes little Los Fresnos proud in the big ole city of Houston. Lastly, she added, “My parents were very active in the city. Daddy was a volunteer fireman and Chief and Mom was always doing something. Our teachers and coaches did an amazing job preparing us to move forward. Small towns are the backbone of America and I’m proud to have been raised in Los Fresnos.”