Diane was a friend since the 6th grade.  She was the outgoing one and was always trying to get my out of my shyness, encouraging me to swim in her pool and learn how to dive, dance, and other social activities.  I often rode my bike to her house and was petrified to go down the hill on Beach road on my way home.  We  shared lots of secrets during sleepovers  and discussed our schoolgirl crushes at length until our mothers made us go to sleep.  I've been so out of touch that I wan't aware of her passing but I know she is up in heaven getting things in order and passing out smiles to the angels.

Diane was by far my most bubbly, exuberant friend.  Our cheer practices and telephone conversations will be in my heart forever. To know her was to love her. I remember when her mother died of breast cancer when Diane was still young.  It was a heavy load for Diane to cope with.  For Diane to meet the same fate at an early age is very haunting.  It is so sad she and others won't be able to join us at our reunion.