Diane was a daughter and a niece.  She was a sister, a playmate, a classmate and a friend.  She was a co-worker, a teacher and a wife.  She was an aunty and a grand-aunty.  And for the past 12 years she was the most tender, loving, thrilling companion I could have had.

Relationships are what give meaning to our lives.  They are one of the most sacred parts of life and I believe Diane’s heart knew that well.  Diane’s life encompassed all kinds of relationships including an amazing number of life-long relationships.  Diane loved almost every one of you in one way or another.  She reached out more and more as she knew her life grew shorter, to bring people together and to let them know how very special they were to her.

To honor Diane, I ask each one of you to leave here today with the intent to spend more time with those dearest to you, to reconnect to someone you’ve not seen in far too long, to remember all the special things others have done for you and to tell them how very much they mean, and to stop and enjoy the flowers along the way whenever possible.

Diane was the most direct person I ever met.  I always knew if she was happy or mad.  I rarely wondered if she was holding something back.  She was always exactly herself and most wonderfully that was exactly who she wanted to be.

Diane was often quiet and shy.  It took me many years to feel I knew her well.  After getting completely comfortable and feeling safe in her life with me, she opened up and blossomed so beautifully.  I now know so much about her, especially what she loved, it breaks my heart to not be able to continue to try to please her, to share all the experiences and adventures her heart desired, and most importantly to make her laugh and to bask in the glow of her radiant smile.

Today I can hear the voice message Diane left me the first time I sent her flowers just as if it were yesterday.  “I’m jumping up and down, I’m jumping up and down!”  I think maybe she actually was.  We shared so much fun and joy, I don’t know how to be thankful enough for that and at the same time I still don’t quite know how it is that I must go on without her.

In April 1999, after five enchanting trips to Honolulu, I was wrapping up a job and thinking it might be my last visit to this paradise.  Diane and I met through friends and got together twice as a group.  I was intrigued by this lovely, petite woman wearing a fine fitting, simple jean jacket.  She was bright-eyed, lively, sweet, fiesty, delightful and had the most beautiful sparkling brown eyes I had ever seen.  However, I thought it was my last trip to Hawaii and her sister was visiting from the mainland so, as much as I wanted to see her again, I didn’t want to interrupt their time and I left without calling her.

One month later Diane went to a movie with our friend, Bonnie.  Bonnie asked her why she hadn’t gone out with me and she said I hadn’t asked her.  Bonnie encouraged her to contact me and she sent a simple, sweet note.  That was the beginning of 6 months of correspondence by mail, yes, actual mail, that was lovely and moving beyond words.

My heart went out to Diane when she went to NY that summer to see her sister, Paulette, just before Paulette died.  Diane didn’t mention until some time later that she donated bone marrow for Paulette.  That’s the way Diane was, always giving and thinking what she did was what anyone would do.

In October I visited Diane and we got to know each other while touring the islands for two weeks.  By the time I left I was in a panic wondering how I could come back soon.  I wanted Diane to know how special she was so I gave her my Hawaiian-style gold ring.  It fit and we fit even though Diane was forever saying, “We don’t match!”  Diane made plans to visit me in Everett for Christmas.

I’ve never wanted anything more and I’ve never felt the hand of God in my life stronger than in the following weeks.  I called my boss and asked what happened to the contract that had been in the works for over a year with the State of Hawaii.  She said it was funny I should ask as that contract was signed the previous week.  I wondered who would get the job and she said it was mine if I wanted it -- at least 6 months in Honolulu.  A few days later a friend called and said she was looking for a house to rent in Everett, WA.

On Dec. 5, 1999 Diane expressed these feelings in a letter: “…I really think that someone or thing is looking out for me – the universe has brought you into my life.  No one has shown me as much love and caring for me as you do – For the first time I feel my life is becoming complete and full because you are in it!  This is a most exciting, fun time…I think this Christmas will be the best I’ve had since childhood…for the first time in years I can see that holidays will be fun and a joyous time!  Because I’ll be sharing them with you – what a wonderful life we will have.”

By the end of January I was in Honolulu and we discovered I was working in the Kalanimoku building, just across the street from Diane’s work at HNA.  We were able to coordinate our schedules and commuted together every day as my 6-month job turned into 14 months.

One day I said to Diane, let’s go up to the Dole Plantation and she said, “that’s so far!.”  Now, we lived in Aiea, so Diane taught me distances in Hawaii are very different than they are on the mainland.  She also said, “why would you want to go there, there’s nothing there but a little fruit stand by the side of the road?”  I asked, “When was the last time you were up there” and she said, “oh, about 30 years ago.”  That’s my Diane, always telling me about something the way it was 30 years ago.

Three months after moving to Hawaii, I was with Diane on the eve of Mother’s Day when her mom, Patsy Emoto, passed away.  Diane visited Patsy regularly for the two years she suffered from traumatic brain injury and Diane agonized over trying to insure she received the best possible care.  Diane was devastated by her mom’s accident and always wished she could have done more to help, although I know she did everything humanly possible.  I was glad to help her through this most difficult time, although I understood grief very poorly then.

Diane retired from The Honolulu Advertiser in 2001 and moved to Everett, WA to share my beautiful home.  Always practical, she wanted to start a new career in something well paying.  Fortunately I convinced her to stop worrying so much and follow her passions.  Her love of both cooking and artistic hand crafting led her to West Seattle’s renowned Baking & Pastry School where she graduated as a Pastry Chef.  She delighted everyone with the most delicious cakes and pastries: fancy apple pie, cherry filled black forest cake, cream puff swans, perfect lemon tarts, chocolate layer cake with fresh mint chocolate ganache and melt your mouth into heaven lilikoi chiffon pie.

I could spend hours telling you about all the fun times Diane and I had, filled with joy, laughter and silly playfulness.  About the childlike wonder in her eyes as the seasons brought colorful falling leaves and Halloween moons; snow, sleet, slush and ice; April showers and showers and showers and showers followed by flowers and flowers and flowers and flowers (which she was wild about); and bright, mild sunny days full of endless possibilities. 

About road trips and waterfalls, street fairs and classic cars, kinetic art and garden parks, sweet scented days and fireworks, sunsets and Sedona stars, tea parties and Indian food, snow geese and cityscapes, concerts and dancing, friends, popcorn, movies, tulips, shopping, sour dough, mangoes, mochi, mountains, lazy days, glass blowing, beach combing, train rides…and the sweetness of tucking each other in for bed and sharing our day.  Holding onto what was most important…each of the days of our lives…days shared, lived and loved…happy and sad, regular and exciting, mild and wonderful…days treasured because they were ours.

I’ve never known a better person or a more radiantly beautiful spirit.  Diane had the most enchanting, adorable, twinkling brown eyes I have ever seen. Her laugh carried me away like a bubbling brook.  She had an iron will and could be as unmovable as a brick wall.  Although easily frustrated, when she decided to do something, there was no stopping her.  Ever changeable, yet always faithful and true, she was loving, gentle and kind.   Her creativity knew no bounds and she explored numerous artistic forms and expressions throughout her life.  Her quiet strength was boundless.  She worried too much about everything, always wanting to be perfect, striving to never offend.  She defended those she loved with ferocity.  She was always there for me.  She was my hero.

Although I dared not hope, after being given 6-18 months to live in 2006, then after 5 ½ years I think I came to believe Diane had simply decided to live.  We were having so much fun I began to think it was keeping her alive.  That she would live and be with me forever.  I know she did not want to go.

Every person is special. We need to live our lives like we know this.  We need to cherish every precious moment.  It is amazing how one person touches so many others during their lifetime.  I look at all of you and am overwhelmed with awe.  I love you all for being here to honor Diane.  She would so love all these beautiful flowers.

Please cherish your memories and keep her joyous, loving spirit alive in your hearts and in your lives.  Each of you prove and know how important and meaningful her life truly was.  Thank you so much.

 By Keali'i Reichel

Diane E. Uehara, the most beautiful, brown-eyed girl was born to Patsy Fusae Yasuda and Richard Kokichi Uehara in Honolulu, TH (Territory of Hawaii) on February 2, 1944.

Diane was the first of 3 girls. She spoke of her childhood fondly, about carefree times in the camp in Chinatown where she grew up on Buckle Lane. Her mother was a waitress and her father a chef so she often missed them, particularly on holidays. Her father’s parents lived next door so she grew up with extended family and Okinawan traditions. Young Diane was known to demand fish when neighbors invited her over for dinner. 

Diane was shy but blessed with a delightful, youthful spirit and a most caring nature. After high school she was interested in physical therapy but started nursing school instead as she wasn’t ready to leave Hawaii. Plans changed after marriage and she began studying ceramics.  Seven years later she divorced and ultimately received her Masters degree in Fine Arts from the University of Hawaii in Honolulu.

Diane operated a pottery studio at The Foundry in Waikiki for years and many know her from her classes at the YWCA. Diane's jobs included selling sea shells by the seashore, vacuuming bugs out of pineapples and working at Cane Haul Road. For 23 years she sold classified ads for the Honolulu Advertiser where she met many friends and joined a canoe club (in spite of not being able to swim!).

Diane moved from Aiea, HI to Everett, WA 10 years ago. She had always wanted to explore the vibrant arts community in Seattle. Pursuing both her passion for cooking and for creating art by hand, she graduated from South Seattle Community College’s Pastry & Specialty Baking program with an AAS degree.  She worked as a pastry chef until she was diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer in 2006, at which point she retired.

Given only months to live, Diane surprised everyone by responding well to numerous treatments for several years. She had a zest for life and so loved exploring the mainland and learning new things. She traveled extensively and was particularly thrilled to make her dream trip to Japan and Korea.

This last year she focused on friends and family and her final 2 trips to Oahu. She showered us with love and we did everything to keep her happy, comfortable and surrounded by love and affection. She died at home in Everett, WA.

Diane is survived by her life partner, Ronnie Armstrong; her father, Richard Uehara; her sister, Karen Inn; her nieces, Denise Nakasone and Geri-Lee Mizumoto Rita; her half-brother, Arick Emoto and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. Her Aunties, Nancy Hagiwara and Sally Shimabukuro, were especially close to her. Diane was preceded in death by her mother, Patsy Yasuda Emoto, and her sister, Paulette Embury.

Diane received extraordinary care from Dr. Howard West, MD, at Swedish Hospital in Seattle. Donations in memory of Diane may be made to his nonprofit educational entity for lung cancer at: GRACE, 4616 25th Ave. NE, #300, Seattle, WA 98105-4183.