My Story

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In life Diane loved and served, and in death
she is sharing Her life ... what follows are her words:


I accept what I cannot have and I remain grateful for what I do have, little as it may seem to other people. I am truly a wealthy woman filled with the riches of love and friendships that will last even when I am gone.


I have gone into some of the Breast Cancer Sites and read some of the stories from survivors, but I really never did see one that came close to the 4-year struggle that my case has challenged me with. I also found that in most cases it is all very upbeat and positive stuff, as most of it should be to keep you from never losing hope. The reality is that as far as my world has come in research and DNA manipulation and cloning and all of that, we are still dying from this disease every day. The truth is that this is a very humiliating, debilitating, painful and demoralizing way to die and it is still happening too much. I know that people only want to hear the good positive stuff that keeps the fears at bay and allows that ray of hope to always shine through. We need a lot of that encouragement so that people can live with this, but we aren't all going to be that fortunate to see our miracle in this lifetime. Those of us who are losing the battle do deserve to be remembered for all the smiles we gave through our pain and all the cheers we sent out to someone who needed encouragement, when we needed the most. For all the times when our response to our friends and family when they would ask us how we were doing today would be "good" when is was most likely very bad. For all the times we tried to brighten someone else’s life when our own was becoming very dark. For all the times we pushed our bodies to the limit to help make special memories that we could all hang on to when that was all that would be left. For all the times we didn't tell people how bad it was because we didn't want to ruin their day too. For just doing the very best that we knew how to be a good human being, a good friend, a good parent and a good spouse in the short time that we had to accomplish that. Lastly for the courage to fight until the fight is over and to do our best to insure that everything that could make the transition for our families to a life without us as painless as it can ever be so they will be taken care of as they deserve to be while trying to go on with their lives.



Written by Diane's sons Richie David and Peter Scott Lasch

What do I think about when I think of angels? I think of the way they steer us away from danger. I think of the way they give us strength to do right over wrong. I think of the support they provide to help us through each day. I think of the love they bestow upon us. I think of a beautiful being that guides us through life. I think of Diane DeTar, forever my mother and my angel.

Who was Diane DeTar? She was a daughter that assumed all of her parent's best qualities. She was a sister whose heart was always there even when words were absent. She was a devoted wife who gave her all. She was a mother who provided unconditional love to her children. She was a friend that could brighten the day with a kind word or loving smile. She was a beautiful lady that made this world a better place.

I think back on all the things I've seen her do for others and all the things she did for me and I wonder how one person can be so selfless, caring, and full of love. She would give even when she couldn't afford to give. She would attend to the needs of others before attending to her own needs. She would provide encouragement to us all when she could have used some herself. She would worry about every one of us and not want us to worry for her.

Although she always displayed tremendous strength, courage, and dignity, it wasn't until she got sick that I realized how strong, courageous, and dignified she really was. She had the unbelievable strength to fight an uncontrollable disease. She had the courage of a warrior to face her inevitable outcome. She had the inner power to live and die with dignity.

As she settles into her final resting place we need not worry. As her mother said, "her body finally caught up with her spirit and she's at peace." She leaves us knowing she has done her best to prepare us for what's to come. We will do everything in our power to carry-on with the same strength, courage, and dignity she displayed.

Mom, I know you will watch over all of us and be with us through thick and thin. Thank you for bringing me into this world and being such a wonderful part of so many people's lives. You will be missed dearly, but never forgotten. Forever our hearts and love will be with you. We don't say goodbye, we say see you later.


A million times we've needed you, A million times we've cried.
If love alone could've saved you, You never would have died.
In life we loved you dearly, In death we love you still.
In our hearts you hold a place, No one else will ever fill.
It broke our hearts to lose you, But you didn't go alone.

Part of us went with you, The day the Angels took you home







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