We're gathered here today to celebrate the passing of Diana Athena Clarion (AKA) The Lavender Lady.

What can one say about a woman who did not see herself as one-in-a-million, or a special or important person? Well, I am glad to tell you that you can say quite a lot.

Diana Athena Clarion entered this world on July 20th 1957, and was adopted by a family from Ohio.

Her formative years were spent dreaming of space; a topic with which she was obsessed.

In considering space, one of Diana's claims to fame was the fact that the lunar landing occurred on her birthday. In her eyes, a man walked on the moon to celebrate her birthday and it tickled her pink in perpetuity, as her obsession with space never ceased.

Diana was a lifelong learner who loved cats, fish, and tinkering with Linux. But what many people don't know is that Diana was a genius.

Diana attended Marietta College (1974-1977) before attending The University of Pittsburgh (1992-1996) and graduated with a Bachelor of Science.

Diana wanted to pursue a career in neuroscience, but her health took a turn and derailed what would have been a promising career.

Soon after graduation, Diana found her life on a new trajectory and averted the boredom of disability by pouring her time into computers, gardening and reading.

Diana amassed a formidable library, the likes of which could outshine the Library at Alexandria. To prove her bibliophile status, she opted to sleep in her living room, sacrificing the bedroom in order to have a library.

But between her hobbies and cats, something was missing from her life, and that was recognising her true self.

As many of you know, Diana was a trans woman, but it took her many years to pluck up the courage to live a life of her choosing, and to live in the bliss of her true identity: Womanhood.

Feeling secure in one's identity was something that Diana dedicated her life to promoting; and this sense of self acceptance existed in many circles, including atheism.

Diana was a staunch atheist and relished in any chance she had to debate the religious, or council those cast out into the world of nonbelievers on a live stream, or in private.

Live streams were the high-point of her week with her Sunday morning coffee club style streams.

Those few hours of silliness and sometimes poignant discussions were cherished by many in the community, especially the lonely ones.

Unfortunately, the streams started to eclipse, as did Diana's health. In 2021, Diana fuelled up her spaceship and set out on life's last grand adventure: Death.

Simply put, her kidneys deteriorated before shutting down entirely. After a long battle, she died peacefully at hospice—on the morning of June 17th, 2024.

Even though she's gone, Diana will never be forgotten, and we'll never stop loving her.

In the immortal words of Diana, "Thanks a lot troops; See ya on the other side."