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Family and Friends Remember Diane Piligian in Nation's Largest Walkathon, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer

BOSTON, MA - On Sunday, October 15, 2000, 70 walkers in the Boston "Making Strides Against Breast Cancer" walkathon remembered daughter, sister, niece, cousin and friend, Diane Piligian of Needham, Mass., who died of breast cancer 10 years ago this October. The team called Diane's Travelers came from the greater Boston area, as well as western Massachusetts, Connecticut and as far away as Michigan.

Diane was the daughter of Murad and Dorothy Piligian of Needham; sister of Marge Fuller, Richard Piligian and Nancy Barmakian.

Diane's travelers joined 40,000 other walkers in the 5.7-mile route along the Charles River and raised substantial donations for breast cancer research, education, and support programs. Family and friends were bussed from Diane's elementary school in Needham, Massachusetts to the Boston Hatch Shell and back. A cookout followed for nearly 100 persons at the Piligian home in Diane's honor. Cousin Aram Kabodian from Michigan read the following beautiful poem that he had written in Diane's memory.


Joy
For Diane

    What would it have been like to hug Jesus?
        Grasp his body with my two arms and hold tight.
        Feel the strength of his back against my palms,
      His arms completely around me.
        Stay there
          for a time.

    To hug Diane was to touch Joy:
        Her positive life force emitted beams
        Of penetrating genuine love in all directions.
          Her arms completely around me
              Like it was
                yesterday.

    When Jesus laughed,
      An unbridled, unabashed Joy
        Beamed from his face, his hair, his pores.
          Mortal fear, sadness, and death
            Disappeared, sounding

            Instead as a steady rain
              Of Eternal
              Love.

    Diane's laugh was loud;
      Always both barrels,
        Close range.
        Welcomed
          And warming
            Infectious smile,
              Contagious
              Love.
    Our hugs, our laughter, our lives
      Echo love ones.
        Never forgotten.

The event was a great tribute to Diane who loved people and lived life to its fullest. Although she passed away 10 years ago, her memory is still with all of us and will continue to be forever. Diane touched a lot of people and we are all better for it.