Sad news: Diane lost her battle with cancer

[Theo]

I was a very chilly spring day when Diane arrived unannounced at our house in her Miata; the top was down, of course. Diane had been visiting her family in Albany and "was in the neighborhood". She apologized for not calling ahead as she climbed out of the Miata in her down jacket, scarf, hat and gloves. I knew she was in there somewhere amidst the goose-down and wool.

Carol and I warmed her up in front of the woodstove and, with the help of liberal libations, convinced her to stay the night. We had such a happy and relaxing time with her talking about MINIs, teaching, and everything under the sun. We were truly sorry to see her go when morning came.

And now, we need to say a difficult goodbye once more....

[Bonnie Blue]

We are sorry to hear the news. I had met her once or twice at a Mini event, but did not realize she was fighting cancer. It really hit me that we were close in age and, at the last mammogram, I passed with flying colors. Our sympathies to her family and friends.

[pezboy]

She was my favorite.

[GadgetGav]

What sad news. Diane was a star of the early MINI meets in NE (back when I used to go to a lot of them!). I was always amazed at how far she would travel, just to get to the *start* of an event.
Condolences to her family and friends.

[rfinprc]

This is very sad news. Diane was an early leading spirit in New England events, showing up at MOT with name buttons for all, showing up at the Big Dig run with hats, and my favorite, freezing her butt off in spite of her ankle length raccoon coat at ice racing on Newfound Lake. She was a real gem, and we'll miss her.

[snek]

I will always remember she was able to narrate the route, call out the turns and warn us of oncoming traffic on the radio, while drifting between the sand dunes on the Lighthouse Tour.

[NoNo]

What terrible news I remember Diane fondly from my earliest days in the MINI community. Quick-witted with a kind heart. I was wondering where she'd gone to; she will be greatly missed.

[NHRef]

Quote: Originally Posted by rfinprc (original)

This is very sad news. Diane was an early leading spirit in New England events, showing up at MOT with name buttons for all, showing up at the Big Dig run with hats, and my favorite, freezing her butt off in spite of her ankle length raccoon coat at ice racing on Newfound Lake. She was a real gem, and we'll miss her.

Ohmigod! I'd forgotten that. Thanks for the ice racing memory; it certainly brightened my evening.

[GBMINI]

Diane loaned me a balaclava that day, probably saved my ears from freezing off! Such a sweet lady.

[Cape Cod MINI]

Diane gave the best hugs. She hung on tight and really meant it. She would also sneak up behind me and hang on
Impromptu meeting at Dysart's outside of Orrington/Bangor for lunch w/ me and Evan when we were passing through.
Sitting up until the wee hours at my house drinking wine w/ her and talking, talking, talking.
Seeing her crawling up my rear view mirror at 100+ mph on the Kanc at 5 a.m. Bet her students would be surprised!
She made great buttons too.
We were all very lucky to have her as a friend.

[BWROOFCHEX]

this is very sad news, Audra and I have some great memories from Bar Harbor with Diane leading the way . We send our condolences to her family.

[Jester's mom]

I'm so sorry to hear this, Diane was a great person and she will be missed. I have many memories that include her in the mini runs that Pat and I made in the past. As with all our other beloved mini friends she will ride forever in our hearts.

[miniata]

What sad news to hear. What a tireless, full of energy & life of a lady.

I met Diane four years ago at LRP when she and a few others Mini owners were attending there first track event up at Lime Rock Park. My sister and I motored up to support a friend of ours -- John J Jackman(rip) and there we met Ed (Maxamini) --(rip), Trevor, Steve, Tontobird and enjoyed the day watching and cheering them on.

Good Friends, Good Times at L...

I last saw her a month later when she attended the first NYC Sunrise Run
and some people you never forget.

She is happily motoring with Ed, Jackman and a few other MINI people that
left this earth way before there time.

My condolences to her family.

Renata(Miniata)

[uptick]

Condolences to Diane's family. She was one of the first MINI enthusiasts I've met. She often motored many hours and great distances to participate in rallies in downstate NY. I fondly remember the first NYC Sunrise rally, in which she, Ed, AND Jackman were all jovially present.

[ontheroadagain]

Although I first heard of Diane's passing via a post on NEMINI.org, I've only just found my way over here, where I'd like to add my condolences and happy memories, as well.

I'll never forget that after multiple PMs via MINI2, that Diane and I arranged for her to come to our house in Rye so that she could ride shotgun with me on the first Sunrise Run in Manhattan... I have no idea why, but apparently Diane must have arrived either way too late or way too early...and thus when looked out the front window at about 5AM - there she was sound asleep in her MINI! Needless to say, we spent a fine day together zipping around The Big Apple with all our other MINI pals - some of whom Renata has so nicely posted a photo of above.

Diane's positive energy and warmth are the impressions that I will always carry in my memories. I have no doubt that she is greatly missed.

Here is a photo we took before she hopped into her beloved MINI to head back home to Maine.