Bye Dianne

I discovered yesterday that a good friend of mine from Hong Kong had passed away about a year ago. Thats what happens when you randomly google names of people you know.

I first met Dianne in 1995 during a dive trip in the Philippines. We had just met and not really talked until the boat stalled. So there we were in the middle of the night, in darkness, in the middle of Batangas Bay, talking to each other for the next few hours while they fixed the boat.

She was one of those people I just got along with even though we had different ages,backgrounds, philosphies and political leanings. We shared a love of the ocean and were both phlegmatic, so we were laid back enough to get along. She would bring me to these organic cafes for lunch, and we talked like we had known each other all our lives. Being a fitness trainer, she was stronger than me and joked that she could kick my butt.

And I believed her. :D

She was honest, cool, caring, straight forward, very real and a no BS person. She once described me as being simple with no hidden agenda.

Here's the obituary:

Coogias, Dianne 52, of Lincoln, CA, formerly of Medina, MN died Friday April 29, 2005 after a 4-month battle with recurring ovarian cancer. Survived by beloved life partner of 13 years Joy Vogelgesang, mother Frances Coogias and sister Inge Brewer. Dianne lived in Boston, Albuquerque, Hong Kong, Medina, MN and most recently, Lincoln, CA. She had successful careers as a business owner, personal fitness trainer, and most recently dedicated herself to improving the health and welfare of horses through specialized barefoot hoof trimming. Dianne was totally focused and committed to improving the life of today's horses towards a more natural living environment. Memorials to your local horse rescue or local ASPCA.
Published in the Star Tribune on 5/8/2005.

Goodbye Dianne. Sorry we won't be going to Layang-Layang together.