I met Diane shortly after I arrived in Gainesville in 1982; she had a talent for making friends and we remained friends all these years. A favorite memory: not long after we met, Diane invited me to join her and a friend of hers for dinner at the Copper Monkey. On my way there, I stopped at an Eckard's Pharmacy only to find that my car wouldn't start when I was ready to leave. I had just paid a big repair bill, so I was pretty upset. When I reached Diane and explained why I wouldn't be able to join them after all, she said, "Oh Nora! Things will work out! Don't let a little car trouble ruin a lovely evening!" I have no memory of how I got to the restaurant, or got to work the following morning, but I will never forget how much fun we had over dinner; we laughed until we cried. Without knowing it, Diane changed my life that night - on so many occasions in the years since, when I've said to myself, "Things will work out! Don't let a little _____ ruin a lovely______," I'm back standing in the Eckard's parking lot, hearing the smile and the warmth in Diane's voice, and feeling again her enthusiasm for life. Diane has been calling at least once a week recently because I'm having some health challenges; every time the phone rings, I wish it were her. How blessed we were to have Diane in our lives; how much we will miss her. My husband, Amor, and I extend our deepest sympathy to Jim and all her family.
Nora L Hoover
