A Dedication to Diana

As we are all reflecting back now on all of our memories of you,
We can see your smiling image clearly in our minds and feel the love you gave too.
After such a courageous battle, that you fought so hard for so long,
You went home to God where all angels as wonderful as you belong.
All of us here will always take little moments in our days
To remember you and your smile, and all of your gracious ways.
Memories that I recall keep you alive in my heart and always will
No one could ever take your place in all of our hearts, for your shoes are far too big to fill.
To be all of the things you are, a mother, wife, sister, grandmother, aunt, and most of all a friend,
A strong, fearless woman who was also gentle, and always had a loving hand to lend.
The outpouring of love for you is amazing, you have truly touched so many with your love,
And that is why we all know that you were an angel on earth, sent to us directly from above.
You welcomed everyone into your “extended family”, all they needed to do was come over and walk in,
And they’d be fed, entertained, taught a lesson or two, and become instant family right then.
Your arms were open wider than any I have ever seen, your heart bigger than the biggest anyone has ever known,
Family and those considered family always came first and all would be astounded at the amount of love and comfort you’ve shown.
Let us all smile for Diana now, a brief moment of happiness for the one who brought us a lifetime of it,
A moment devoted to the one who pieced every little part of life together and made it all seem to fit.
Be sure that we will tightly keep all the memories we have shared with you, and hang on to your memory with all our might,
So now even though we are saddened to lose you, we know it was time, for the angel with the golden Harley wings to take flight.

—Written by Lauren Simpson October, 2004

Dear Evaluation Committee,

Diana has been actively riding for 40 years. She was one of the pioneers of motorcycle training. She was the first Motorcycle only Driving School in New York State that we can find on record. Her courage and commitment to fight for motorcycle education was not deterred by being a female owned business in a male dominant field. Diana had to endure ridicule and resistance of incredible measures. Her ambition has been steadfast. Diana is a mother of five children. She began her career as an educator by teaching our religious courses at our local Church. She has been recognized for her dedication to the motorcycle community by countless newspaper, National TV and magazines. Diana has tirelessly trained and adopted thousand’s of new riders into the brotherhood of motorcycling. She has never given up on, or not been able to teach a single student, male or female, who truly wanted to become a biker. My mother personally embraces each person’s goals, dreams and personal challenges. Her warmth, enthusiastic and devotion to the motorcycle community has earned her the local title of the “Mother-Theresa-of-Motorcycling”.

Diana has long been a role model for all motorcyclists; but her humble, yet dynamic presences as an encouraging instructor, has influenced many students to go on to become MSF Instructors themselves. She is admired by all who know her for her sincere love of motorcycling. Her passion for teaching is an inspiration to all who have had the honor of working with her.

I have been a New York Motorcycle Instructor for the past 17 years. I have been a MSF certified RC since 1996. My mother taught me to ride when I was 16 years old. She bought me my first bike. She taught me how to teach when I was 22 years old. She is my greatest hero and mentor. My mother Diana Marafioti, her sister Lee LaFurge and I have owned and operated the American Motorcycle Driving School, Inc. in upstate New York since 1986. Diana became an MSF Instructor in 1984, here in NY. She has been teaching for the MSF consecutively for 20 years.

Right from the beginning, Diana saw the need for individual attention and over-the-road lessons in addition to the MSF group course. She derived a training course from her long time riding experience, training and trial and error. We all worked together, listening to the needs of our individual students. We quickly noticed the trends and common needs of prospective and new riders. From this we have developed our own teaching techniques and practice set-ups. Our course begins in a parking lot, advances to Over-the-Road and climaxes with a NYS DMV road test. We start our students out on our 250cc training motorcycles and end with most students working on their new or personal bikes. We often accompany our students to the Motorcycle Dealerships to try on and pick out gear, test “sit” on and choose a bike that meets their needs, size, taste, skill level and budget. Most of the time we are the first one’s to ride their new bikes; as we go with them to pick it up, ride it out of the shop and conduct a lesson with them to help transfer their new riding skills to their new bike. Her professional ethics, positive attitude and love for all motorcycles has nourished deeply loyal roots with countless motorcycle dealerships spanning over a dozen counties and into 3 states. It has been our full service and commitment to our students and their personal needs that has given us our unique and valuable teaching and training techniques of our Driving School that is expressed in our book and DVD. It has been this same commitment that has earned Diana the title of “the-Mother-Theresa-of-Motorcycling” and me “the Motorcycle-Match-Maker”.

In 1996 M.A.N.Y.S. helped bring the MSF, MRC/ BRC courses for approval to NYS DMV for a road test waiver. Since then are numbers of students has increased with the Statewide promotion of Rider Education. Diana continues to offer our private lessons to both Graduates and “drop-outs” from our local MSF-MANYS programs. There are 5 sites running in our immediate area. We assist in teaching the BRC at our local sites. What the thousands of student have taught us over the past 17 years, are the most common questions, confusions, misconceptions and lacking skills and/or emphases from the Course that they attended. Often the course simply went too fast for their individual learning or skill level. Sometimes it was the cold or hot weather that deterred their learning. Other times it may have been a particular RC or setting that simply did not meet their personal needs. Many times the student was simply mentally saturated and/or physically taxed by the end of the course. Often it was their own fear and anxiety that hindered their learning. Whatever the cause, it is understandable that in a group setting, that not everyone can be accommodated, every time. Our school and teaching techniques has been here to answer their needs and to help fill the gap and “gray” areas for these new riders. Diana does not believe in leaving anyone behind; she goes to any length to help them obtain their dream of riding.

Some of Diana’s achievements, contributions and credits are:

• The Founder of the American Motorcycle Driving School, Inc. offering private motorcycle lessons to Novice and rider up-dates to self taught Riders since 1986.
  
• MSF Instructor of the MRC, BRC and ERC for 20 consecutive years
• The past President of a large, co-ed family orientated Motorcycle Club, “Lost Wheels” she has recently been awarded a plaque and inducted as a Life Long Honorary Member for her outstanding, long time commitment to the club and our motorcycle community
• She has been awarded the Achievement Award from the AMA for her work and involvement as the President of that club on in 1978 and in 1980.
• Recently (May-04), the AMA awarded Diana with their prestigious MVP AWARD for her contribution to the motorcycle community.
• Diana has been certified and taught the 5 Hour Defensive Driving Courses for the National Safety Council on effort to educate car drivers to motorcyclist special challenges in traffic.
• At age 56, she and Dad learned how to drive an 18 Wheeler. They spent several years as “Team Driver’s” roaming across this beautiful country. She holds a New York State Commercial Drivers License including Tractor Trailer, Hazard Material and Air Brakes. Diana is invested in making highways safer for all.
• A certification as a Trainer for the National Safety Council Professional Truck Driver DDC. She opened a classroom in our home to teach safe-driving habits to Professional Trucker’s in our community and promote motorcycle safety and special issues to other Truckers.
• Attended and awarded by N.Y.S. DOT, Road and Safety Seminars
• She brought the concept of Rider Education to Dutchess County, NY by joining and participating as a business woman in our local chapter of the Chambers of Commerce (I remember at our first meeting the roar of laughter when they announced us joining. “Do people really come to your school to learn how to ride? “Do you have any business?” Diana stood tall and gave the most outstanding report on rider Ed and motorcycle statistics! She sat down to a roaring applause. That was over 15 years ago!)
• She was instrumental in negotiating and introducing the MSF, MRC to West Point
• She was the first person to approach and help to start and teach the MSF, ERC to Dutchess Community College in the mid 80’s.
• She has organized many “Motorcycle Safety Rodeo’s” to introduce the motorcycle community to the need and availability of Rider Education Courses
• Attended countless motorcycle club meetings as guest speaker to teach and discuss safe group and passenger riding technique’s and formations
• Has been a long time member and supporter of our local ABATE and AMA chapters. She introduced and emphasized the importance of these organizations to all her students and new motorcycle clubs
• She has personally trained, inspired and encouraged at least a dozen new riders to go on to become MSF Instructors.
• Diana and her School have had 3 of these instructors go on to open their own Driving Schools and MSF sites.
• Through the American Driving School we have personally contributed to the opening of two other MSF – MANYS Sites here in New York.
• Diana also helped Stewart Air Force Military Base offer the MRC at their base here in up state NY
• Fox After Breakfast featured her as a “Motorcycle Instructor/Grandmother”
• ABC-Eye Witness News’s did a segment on her role and service to the motorcycle community
• She was featured and promoted rider education on CBS-Inside Edition
• Named in the National Magazine, American Rider as 1 of 10 Motorcycle Diva’s for her long standing commitment to motorcycle safety
• She appears in the book; “Living & Riding Free- BikerLady” promoting motorcycle education
• Diana has been interviewed by New York’s top Newspapers introducing Rider Safety Issues
• She was the original Instructor of ATV’s in our County, early 80’s
• Diana spent years introducing and initiating relationships with Motorcycle Dealerships for referrals and promotions, to offer Rider Education for the MSF and her private school. She began this tireless task over 20 years ago and still inspires countless Dealer support.
• Her School has offered license to students from New York City to Albany to Port Jarvis New York, a total range of 800 miles!
• Diana often provided motorcycle lessens to Connecticut Students as well.
• One of her most famous students has been Ralph Lauren of POLO, along with his wife and son.
• She was instrumental in setting up the Lost Wheel Porker Run. Some of the proceeds in the beginning she arrange to donate to the Leukemia Society.
• Mother has attended, supported and helped Riders start many new motorcycle Clubs and Events in NY
• She has lent her talent and guidance to Women in the Wind Motorcycle Club
• She attended and supported the Gay Motorcycle Rallies in NY, to promote rider education
• Her commitment to safety includes A New York State certified Pyrotechnical Certificate; she helped run safety seminars for our crews for 30 years

Diana’s Granddaughters… Amber & Gabriella, 2003, Her heritage rides on…..our families' fifth generation of female rides. Her devotion will live on:

Diana, is now 63 years old and battling her 3rd year of pancreatic cancer. Her tumors are now inoperable and incurable. Her strong faith and love for life has given her the courage to fight against all odds. Her Doctors are amazed by her resilience. To their amazement, Diana continues to ride her 1999 Kawasaki, Drifter, and 1500cc for recreation and to her Doctor’s appoints to receive her Chemo and check ups. We, who know her, simply smile and say, “That’s Diana.” However, due to this illness and the effort required to stay ahead of it, she has decided to retire as an MSF Instructor this year, with 20 years of service. She will continue to take part in the operations of the American Motorcycle Driving School, Inc. She has inspired and consulted with me through out our book, “Christine’s KickStart, Reality Motorcycling for Men & Women”, due for Publication in early 2005. We envision this book to reach out to offer a larger consumer base insight to her remarkable teaching talent’s. The book contains an easy to follow and simple to understand, instructions, demos and diagrams to provide an additional and/or alternative learning tool to new riders. Her legacy will live on for generations to come.

Once again Diana show’s her outstanding fearlessness and commitment to Motorcycle Safety by lounging this unprecedented, unique approach of training. Through our writings and DVD, it is our hope to provide a practice setting for all motorcyclists to continue to learn, troubleshoot and practice their newly learned skills. Perhaps they can, and will use the book as a refresher or as a review of a skill that they did not feel comfortable learning during the course or in their first year out on the road. It can be a wonderful tool for an apprehensive student currently enrolled in an up coming class to get a “kick Start” on their learning and terminology. It will be an excellent reference book for that new rider’s in the outskirts of a training location, or in the state’s and Countries (such as in Europe), that do not currently offer the MSF course, and to those riders who insist on being self-taught. We want to give them all a closer look at the Risks, Myths and Strategies of seasoned riders. The book gives insight, explanations and choices to prospective, new and self-taught Riders. We want to promote the need and advantages of enrolling and/or investing in rider education. With this book Diana shares her prospective as a female rider, as a 20 year instructor, 40 year seasoned rider and as a fourth generation, motorcycling family.

We strongly support and appreciate the MSF as our ‘FOUNDATION’ to safe motorcycling
riding and teaching. It is our greatest hope that the Motorcycle Safety Foundation,
which has been a major part of our community and our whole families’ lives for the past 20 years, will take this time to acknowledge Diana for her outstanding resolve and personal dedication to Rider Safety Education and the Motorcycle Community.

I welcome any comments or clarifications that you may require to fully understand this miraculous women.

Thanking you in advance for your attention in this matter.

Sincerely,
Christine Firehock, RC #25725

Diana’s Granddaughters Amber & Gabriella, 2003. Our families' fifth generation of female riders.