INDEPENDENCE - Diane Brimmer never stopped sharing her love of music with others.

Even in her final weeks, as resurgent cancer spread through her body, the beloved piano instructor was still judging piano competitions and inspiring the church choir.

Brimmer, 72, died Monday and was buried this morning following funeral services at St. John's Catholic Church.

"She loved life and she loved music," her husband, Mayor Frank Brimmer, said.

Doctors diagnosed breast cancer two years ago. After a lengthy, seemingly successful fight that included surgery and chemotherapy, the disease reappeared this fall.

Until four weeks ago, Diane Brimmer continued coordinating St. John's music and choir program. She missed just one weekly service after her first cancer surgery. She also kept judging National Piano Guild competitions, many of them out of town.

Frank Brimmer recalled his concern as his wife traveled this fall for the music events. But she was committed, he couldn't sway her to stay home.

"She said, 'Dear, as long as I'm sitting there, it doesn't bother me,'" he said.

Brimmer recently completed a two-year term as president of the Iowa Music Teachers Association. Frank Brimmer said this week brought a flood of e-mails from teachers and former students across the state.

Brimmer taught thousands of students over the years, he said. She started giving piano lessons in 1948. He remembers weeks when she'd give as many as 100 individual lessons, starting as early as 6 a.m. and going past 10 p.m.

Former students said they learned about more than music.

"She would always go the extra mile to make you a better person," said Jami Shafer-TeKippe, who took organ lessons from Brimmer 30 years ago.

Bonnie O'Brien started taking piano and organ lessons from Brimmer when she was 9 years old. Recently, she worked alongside Brimmer at the church, helping coordinate music for weddings.

"She taught so much more about being the best you could be no matter what you chose to be," O'Brien said. "She was very generous in sharing her talents and her gift."

As music director at St. John's, she founded the church's funeral choir in 1981 and coordinated music for more than 650 funerals. This time, O'Brien worked with the family to plan the program, selecting songs they believe Brimmer liked.

"I hope we captured her spirit," O'Brien said. "I think we did."

Dan Haugen can be contacted at (319) 291-1565 or dan.haugen@wcfcourier.com.