Diana Catherine Sillin

Diana was born on July 27, 1942, in Chicago, Illinois, to John and Catherine Dean. She married her high school sweetheart, Lauri Sillin. Together, they raised twelve children, all born in Arlington Heights, IL, creating a home full of laughter, chaos, and the occasional black eye.

In 1995, they moved the family home to Arizona, where Diana spent the latter half of her life, deeply rooted in her Catholic church community. She faithfully served as a eucharistic minister for more than 25 years. Diana cherished time with her children and grandchildren—especially during board games, where her competitive spirit always shined. She found joy in many hobbies, including reading, knitting, and spending time in the pool, but nothing compared to her love of traveling (always with a perfect manicure!). She adored her cats and treated them like family.

She is survived by her children: Michael (Alissa) Sillin, Dawn Lobkovich, Timothy Sillin, Daniel (Carolyn) Sillin, Sheri Coco, Steven (Angela) Sillin, Jennifer (Robert) Torres, Jeffrey (Yoke) Sillin, Melissa (Paul) Phillips, Christopher (Amy) Sillin, and Erin (Nicholas) Schwartz; as well as her 28 beloved grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Lauri, and her son, Thomas.

Diana will be remembered for her sense of humor, thoughtful gift-giving, and her listening ear. She possessed an immensely strong will to live and a deep desire to keep going—for her children, her family, and the life she still wanted to embrace. Her strength was not just physical; it was emotional and spiritual. It lived in her determination, her hope, and her refusal to give up. She will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by all who knew and loved her.