In Memory of Diane Marie Dunne

I remember the day my sister called me to tell me the doctor had found a tumor in her eye. Ocular melanoma - I had never heard of this cancer before. The doctors removed the tumor and she had radiation treatment. She was so brave and never complained. This was 2006. My sister went on living her life as a gifted pastry chef. She brought joy to everyone she knew. Her kind and loving nature was felt by many.

After spending many years in Germany serving our country in the U.S. Army, my sister moved to Florida and followed her passion as a pastry chef. Several years later she started to lose vision in her other eye. She began to learn to live life as a legally blind person. She had so much courage and never gave up living. Her life changed as she had to give up driving, but that did not stop her from being out in the world. My sister lived alone, so she took a bus to work. 

In June of 2010, my sister called me to say she had stomach pain and was in the hospital. Several hours later we got the news....the cancer had spread to her liver. There was talk of chemotherapy and moving her here with me in North Carolina so I could care for her. Days went on, and she called me several weeks later to tell me she was going to Hospice. I drove with my husband and spent a week with her. Again, her bravery and courage was inspiring. It is an amazing journey to watch someone accept death and transition from this world to heaven. 

The doctors told me that they could not determine if she had weeks or months. I asked my sister if she wanted me to stay? Her reply to me is one I hold on to each day...she said..."No baby, I want you to go live a happy life.” I left her on her 54th birthday, July 24th of 2010. I have to say it was the hardest moment of my entire life to walk out that door knowing I would not see her until we meet again in heaven. 

I called a priest for support and we prayed together. My next task was to go to her apartment. I gave everything to a shelter for battered women. I kept her recipes, pictures and cards that have so much meaning to me. 

My sister passed away after her brave and courageous battle on August 8th surrounded by the loving Hospice team at Lake Mary Florida VA hospital. I will always be grateful to them for their kindness and support – what an amazing group of people.

My sister’s joy was always her two dogs. She had recently got a new puppy named Bengi and her vet found him a home. Her other dog Precious was adopted by one of the Hospice nurses and Diane was able to have Precious with her when she passed away. Now Precious is a visitor for other Hospice patients.....what a true tribute to her kind spirit living on in her Precious dog. I miss my sister every day and it never gets easier, but I try to live by the words she left me with. I will always be grateful for the time we had and I pray she knows she is "Forever Loved.” 

Please support research in helping to find a cure for this cancer. Too many loving and kind people are battling this disease. I know all families who have gone through this disease with a loved one would appreciate your support. God Bless, and I pray for a cure.

                                                                                       -Written by Diane's sister, Debra Logan

Ocular Melanoma is a rare disease.  Therefore funding for research to find a cure is very limited at this time. Contributions in Diane’s honor can be sent to the Ocular Melanoma Foundation.

If you have any questions or want further information about Warrior fundraising with OMF, please email warriors@ocularmelanoma.org. 

7/24/1956 to 8/8/2010
July 24, 1956 - August 8, 2010