At the age of 25 she moved to Alaska, started her career and began a family. After a fulfilling life as mother and early child specialist, she retired, with her dog and two cats, to a cabin in Haines, which she designed and constructed herself. Diane put in a fabulous garden, raised ducks, shared her bounty and volunteered regularly in the community. Then she got sick. Then sicker and sicker. She was diagnosed with Restless Leg Syndrome and suffered from a lack of sleep for many years. She began to fall and was unable to enunciate clearly at her weekly singing engagement with children, causing her to slowly and reluctantly withdraw from her many activities in the community. After several more declining years, Diane was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease and was relieved to finally know what was happening to her. However, as time passed, she did not respond to Parkinson’s medications and suffered from additional symptoms.  She fell frequently, had trouble swallowing her food, and could no longer care for herself. Finally, a neurologist in Seattle correctly diagnosed her with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, a rare, degenerative disorder that affects movement, balance, and eye movements.  Her mind remained clear. She was aware the prognosis was a slow and painful death.