At the age of 25 she moved to Alaska, built her own cabin and began a family. After a fulfilling life as mother and partner, she retired, with her dog and two cats, to a cabin in Haines which she had 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 shamefully withdraw from her volunteer work and leadership activities in the community. After several 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. She kept losing more and more of her physical abilities, eventually needing help to dress. Finally, a neurologist in Seattle correctly diagnosed her with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, a rare, degenerative disorder that affects movement, balance, and eye movements. The disease’s cause is unknown.  Her mind remained clear; she was aware that the prognosis was a slow and painful death. She knew in her bones that she wanted to be in charge of when and how to end her suffering. She was grateful for all life had given her, especially kids and grandkids.