Diana Lynn Knappenberger Gilboy
January 10, 1972 – October 4, 2015
 
IN THE CARE OF
Deltona Memorial Funeral Home & Gardens
Eleven years ago, Diana Gilboy made a choice. She traded graphic design for firefighting in pursuit of something simple: more.
"She decided to do more; she wanted more out of life," said her husband Stephen Gilboy.

Thus began her 10-year career at Casselberry Fire Department, where as a firefighter and paramedic Gilboy showcased her vibrant strong will and her profound empathy for people. Lt. Robert Schamberger, who knew Gilboy since she began with the department, said she took more outside training courses than anyone else he was directly responsible for. Gilboy was on track to fulfilling her goal of becoming a lieutenant.

Gilboy died Sunday in a motorcycle accident. She was 43.

An outpouring of social-media posts, as well as an Etsy page with decals to memorialize Gilboy and the woman who was on the motorcycle with her, all seek to help honor a person known for her ability to put others at ease and her vivacious spirit.

Her compassion ran so deep that her husband said when Gilboy was out on a call, she might be reminded of him, or of her children. Her work ethic was fierce, according to Stephen.

At 5-foot-2, Gilboy was not one to be confined by such things as height or gender. Schamberger said she was a role model to other young women.

"Don't let someone tell you what you can and can't do," Stephen Gilboy said of her belief.

Though Diana and Stephen were in the same high-school class at Deltona High School after Gilboy's father retired to the area from the U.S. Air Force, the two didn't meet then. Nor did they officially get to know each other at their 10-year high-school reunion. It wasn't until the 20th reunion that they connected over their love of North Carolina.

They began dating not long afterward, with Gilboy eventually joining Stephen on his annual trip there with his Acura Integra car club, taking the 11 miles of mountain road known as Tail of the Dragon at Deals Gap.

Paul Olson, who has known Gilboy since she began dating Stephen said she was quick to tease people in order to break the ice. She was a lighthearted, smiling person, who was able to adapt to any group, her husband said.

"That was why she was such a good paramedic," Stephen said. "She wanted you to be comfortable."

The couple traveled together — whether to New York, on a cruise or simply packing an overnight bag to stay in the Disney area — and they rode water scooters together. Stephen said his wife also enjoyed driving his Integra. In many ways they complemented one another.

To unwind, Gilboy might read on their back porch or play Candy Crush Saga. She loved going to the movies, riding her motorcycle and cooking, even at the station. Stephen enjoyed her meatloaf and her chicken parmesan.

Regardless of what she was doing, Gilboy took to it the way she did her life — with deep passion.

In addition to husband Stephen Gilboy, Diana Gilboy is survived by a daughter, Sarah Trustman, and a son, Matthew Trustman, both of Orange City; her parents, Clementina and Dennis Knappenberger, of Deltona; and a brother, Jeffrey Knappenberger of Phoenix.