Diane Paxinos Model

12/11/1954 - 10/18/2025

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Obituary For Diane Model

Diane Model, born December 11, 1954 in Billings Montana, passed away peacefully at home on October 18, 2025 in Sun City, AZ.

A graduate of Billings West High School, she then attended Montana State University in Bozeman MT. There she learned how to be an advocate for reading and the value of education, becoming a devoted librarian for school libraries in NJ, and Richardson and Wylie School Districts in the Dallas, Texas area for 28 years. Her libraries were much more than books. She created nurturing spaces, where all students felt safe and welcomed. She also went above and beyond for many of her students, guiding and opening doors for them to achieve the best education opportunities possible.

Diane enjoyed the adventure of experiencing familiar and new places and cultures through domestic and international travel. Whether it was relaxing beat-the-heat trips to Pine AZ, or far-flung excursions to India for river cruising, to Kenya for safari, or touring many countries in Europe and Asia, Diane was always excited to go see new places and varied cultures.

Following her retirement and relocation to Sun City, Diane became an active member of her local community. She was a passionate, prolific potter at the Marinette Clay Corner, a driver of social events for the Garden Club of Sun City, and a fervent, fun-loving lawn bowler with the Lakeview and Oakmont Lawn Bowl clubs, who never failed to promote the sport to any curious onlookers. She will be missed by her many friends at these clubs, as well as her circle of lunch and yoga friends.

Diane was a lifelong partner to her husband, and a devoted mother and grandmother. She married Mike Model, also of Billings, MT, in 1975 and is survived by him, their son Scott, his wife Ashley, and her two grandchildren, Maggie and Johnny Model.

She is also survived by her brothers, David and Dennis, his wife Kim, and was preceded in death by her parents, Tom and Carole Marlene, and her younger sister Dana.

Always known for her big heart, she will be missed by the family of Mario, Adela, Jacklyn, Marcus, and Valerie Bautista, whom she always loved and treated as a part of the family.

She will forever be remembered for standing up for what she believed and was never afraid to speak her mind.

A celebration of life will be held at Sun City Lakeview Recreation Center, Social Hall 1&2 on Saturday, Feb. 28 at 2 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family suggest making a donation to Lakeview Lawn Bowl Club (c/o Val Tilton, 253-381-3928, updraft9772@gmail.com) in Diane’s name.

https://www.arizonaonlinecremations.com/obituaries?name=diane-model