It's hard to believe that Diane died almost 20 years ago. The experience of watching her battle cancer and finally give in at 17 years old molded parts of my life forever. I will always be grateful for her friendship and influence in my life. My life is better because I knew her. Diane was always the type of person who quietly led by example and brought out the best in people. She was a wonderful listener and was completely hilarious to spend time with. I will never forget how care free and easy life was just before her diagnosis. On a Friday night, we went to a football game in Cedar, and watched our awesome boys kick some Redmen butt. Within a few days she was on a life flight and received the news of her cancer. She was a pillar of strength to everyone. Looking back, I think she knew her life's course and purpose better than any of us. She was a great source of comfort and happiness through her very last day. The tears come easily, even now, as I remember our last visit. She brought people together in a way that few people could. We were all stronger through her. Lifetime, even eternal friendships, were molded because of what we all experienced.
Diane was a quiet soft spoken person, that I am sad to say I didn't know very well. But even though I didn't know her as well as some, I cared for her as a person and class member. I remember that final year of her life and the huge impact that it had on our class. I remember thinking about her, praying for her to recover and wanting to see her back at school. Her death although tragic and untimely, was an event that I believe forced not only our class but the whole school to lean upon and support each other. Those who were closer to Diane on a personal level struggled more and needed the rest of us for support. I think that giving and receiving the love and support from each other had an impact that cannot be measured.
Diane was in the La Verkin 1st ward w/Rebecca, Kathryn, Merrick, Betsy, Kim and I (Rachel). We had so much fun together, so many memories. I remember going to visit her as a Y.W. group and feeling bad when we talked about dancing, boys, school; because we thought she would be different after becoming paralyzed when they removed the tumor in her spinal column. It must have changed how she felt and we didn't want to hurt her feelings. We of course were wrong as I soon learned the hard way, your personality and feelings don't change; it's only a physical change. I want everyone to know that I know positively w/o a doubt that going through that experience with Diane made it so much better for me when I became paralyzed only a few months later. I wrote her mother after my accident because I felt so strongly that maybe the Lord took Diane home in that terribly, painful way to prepare me for what was happen to me in the future. The Lord could of just took her home, instead of having her go through the cancer, paralizing, wheelchair ordeal. I couldn't of made it through as well w/o her example. Maybe this sounds hokey!! But it's a spiritual thing and it would take a lot longer letter to explain fully. But I am forever grateful to Diane for her example to me, how she dealt w/the trial placed before her. I've thought often how fun it would of been for her to have lived and then she and I could of been wheeling buddy's!!! Ha Ha, lol!!! Seriously, how great would that of been to be able to roll around together racing and seeing who could perform the awesomest WHEELIE!!!! She is up there running around I'm sure and I look forward to returning home and be able to run around w/her!! I love you Diane, and I cherish your special gift!! Rachel
Diane was an amazing young woman and was a blessing in the lives of all who knew her. I am so grateful for the opportunity I had to know her! The example of strength, positive attitude, and determination she set has stayed with me since her death. She never got bitter, she never blamed God, or anyone else for her situation. Every time I went to visit her I felt like she was comforting me and not vice versa. I can honestly say that, up to that point, Diane's death was the most critical event in my life. Watching her go through what she did, with the grace that she did it with, has influenced how I have handled every challenge in my life since. Just as Rachel feels that Diane's experience and example helped her get through her trials, I know that losing her helped prepare me for my father's death later that same year. When Dad had his last heart attack, as soon as the ambulance had pulled away, I ran from my house in Hurricane to the cemetery in La Verkin and went to Diane's grave. I knew my Dad was dead and didn't know what I was going to do. So I talked to Diane for several hours until someone came and found me. Memories of her and her strength comforted me and got me through the most difficult time in my life. Diane, I love you and can't wait to see you again. In 17 short years you touched more people and affected more lives than most of us will in full lifetimes. You will always be one of my heroes.
Like others, I remember visiting Diane and being so amazed at how upbeat she was. She had a way of quietly saying just the right thing. She was always positive and happy. Her family really appreciated the support of our class. I remember several prayers and fasting many of us did together on her behalf. I also remember going into Ben Franklin to visit Diane’s mom years later…taking my girls and sharing them with her. She adopted all of us and loved seeing us grow up get married and have kids of our own. She said our class kept Diane’s memory alive. I hope her family can somehow get access to this and see how their daughter influenced us and how her legacy lives on.
Jennifer Christensen (Parker)
It's hard to believe that Diane died almost 20 years ago. The experience of watching her battle cancer and finally give in at 17 years old molded parts of my life forever. I will always be grateful for her friendship and influence in my life. My life is better because I knew her. Diane was always the type of person who quietly led by example and brought out the best in people. She was a wonderful listener and was completely hilarious to spend time with. I will never forget how care free and easy life was just before her diagnosis. On a Friday night, we went to a football game in Cedar, and watched our awesome boys kick some Redmen butt. Within a few days she was on a life flight and received the news of her cancer. She was a pillar of strength to everyone. Looking back, I think she knew her life's course and purpose better than any of us. She was a great source of comfort and happiness through her very last day. The tears come easily, even now, as I remember our last visit. She brought people together in a way that few people could. We were all stronger through her. Lifetime, even eternal friendships, were molded because of what we all experienced.Jeff Swyers
Diane was a quiet soft spoken person, that I am sad to say I didn't know very well. But even though I didn't know her as well as some, I cared for her as a person and class member. I remember that final year of her life and the huge impact that it had on our class. I remember thinking about her, praying for her to recover and wanting to see her back at school. Her death although tragic and untimely, was an event that I believe forced not only our class but the whole school to lean upon and support each other. Those who were closer to Diane on a personal level struggled more and needed the rest of us for support. I think that giving and receiving the love and support from each other had an impact that cannot be measured.Rachel Gubler (Vanderslice)
Diane was in the La Verkin 1st ward w/Rebecca, Kathryn, Merrick, Betsy, Kim and I (Rachel). We had so much fun together, so many memories. I remember going to visit her as a Y.W. group and feeling bad when we talked about dancing, boys, school; because we thought she would be different after becoming paralyzed when they removed the tumor in her spinal column. It must have changed how she felt and we didn't want to hurt her feelings. We of course were wrong as I soon learned the hard way, your personality and feelings don't change; it's only a physical change. I want everyone to know that I know positively w/o a doubt that going through that experience with Diane made it so much better for me when I became paralyzed only a few months later. I wrote her mother after my accident because I felt so strongly that maybe the Lord took Diane home in that terribly, painful way to prepare me for what was happen to me in the future. The Lord could of just took her home, instead of having her go through the cancer, paralizing, wheelchair ordeal. I couldn't of made it through as well w/o her example. Maybe this sounds hokey!! But it's a spiritual thing and it would take a lot longer letter to explain fully. But I am forever grateful to Diane for her example to me, how she dealt w/the trial placed before her. I've thought often how fun it would of been for her to have lived and then she and I could of been wheeling buddy's!!! Ha Ha, lol!!! Seriously, how great would that of been to be able to roll around together racing and seeing who could perform the awesomest WHEELIE!!!! She is up there running around I'm sure and I look forward to returning home and be able to run around w/her!! I love you Diane, and I cherish your special gift!! RachelRobert Hinton
Diane was an amazing young woman and was a blessing in the lives of all who knew her. I am so grateful for the opportunity I had to know her! The example of strength, positive attitude, and determination she set has stayed with me since her death. She never got bitter, she never blamed God, or anyone else for her situation. Every time I went to visit her I felt like she was comforting me and not vice versa.I can honestly say that, up to that point, Diane's death was the most critical event in my life. Watching her go through what she did, with the grace that she did it with, has influenced how I have handled every challenge in my life since.
Just as Rachel feels that Diane's experience and example helped her get through her trials, I know that losing her helped prepare me for my father's death later that same year. When Dad had his last heart attack, as soon as the ambulance had pulled away, I ran from my house in Hurricane to the cemetery in La Verkin and went to Diane's grave. I knew my Dad was dead and didn't know what I was going to do. So I talked to Diane for several hours until someone came and found me. Memories of her and her strength comforted me and got me through the most difficult time in my life. Diane, I love you and can't wait to see you again. In 17 short years you touched more people and affected more lives than most of us will in full lifetimes. You will always be one of my heroes.
Heather Hinton (Veazie)
Like others, I remember visiting Diane and being so amazed at how upbeat she was. She had a way of quietly saying just the right thing. She was always positive and happy. Her family really appreciated the support of our class. I remember several prayers and fasting many of us did together on her behalf. I also remember going into Ben Franklin to visit Diane’s mom years later…taking my girls and sharing them with her. She adopted all of us and loved seeing us grow up get married and have kids of our own. She said our class kept Diane’s memory alive. I hope her family can somehow get access to this and see how their daughter influenced us and how her legacy lives on.