Diane S. Lenkin 

December 10, 1935- February 5, 2026

Born in Los Angeles, California. Longtime resident of Santa Monica Canyon.

She lived her best life and passed away at the age of 90 in Santa Monica, California.

Beloved mother to Elissa, Todd, and Brett Lenkin. Adored and admired grandmother (Goggy) of Jackson, Theodore, Terra & Brooke Weber. Cherished sister of Jan Joy Sax.

Diane will be missed greatly by many additional family members and friends.

Diane was preceded in death by her parents Ralph and Jane Sax, her sister Morgan Radford, and her aunt and uncle, Ben & Rose Norton. 

Diane was a mountain of a woman who wrote a unique and bold tale with her life. She was active, independent, curious, generous and dignified throughout her life, and she appreciated the simple joys including a good meal, a thought-provoking book, and an engaging conversation. 

 Diane was devoted to her family, a loyal friend, an avid traveler, a style icon, a life-long learner, a helping professional, a 5th generation Californian, a proud Angelino, and a descendent of the Norton and Ettlinger families whose residence in California dates back over 150 years. 

Diane graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles in 1958 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, and she was the president of Phi Sigma Sigma sorority. After raising her three children, she earned her Master's Degree in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University and went on to have a long career as a licensed marriage and family therapist who was dedicated to the well-being of her clients. 

Diane was a friend and inspiration to most everyone she encountered. She had friends of all ages including lifelong friends from her days at UCLA, University High School and John Burroughs Middle School. She also enjoyed spending time with friends from WE Group, Book Club, Over the Hill Gang, WOW! Travel Club, Inside Edge, Investment Club and her Santa Monica Canyon neighborhood. 

Diane’s youthful spirit allowed her to make meaningful connections with friends of both her children and grandchildren. Until very recently, she could be found connecting with many of them on Facebook and Instagram. 

In the latter part of her life, Diane even befriended her many caretakers. Her family is grateful for those caretakers who went beyond tending to her physical needs, by also tending to her mental, emotional, and spiritual needs. They made her laugh, listened to her talk about politics and current events, ensured she had her favorite treats, made beautiful flower arrangements for her to enjoy, and helped videotape when “her” cherished hummingbirds showed up in the backyard.

Travel was an integral part of Diane’s life. She loved exploring destinations close to home and throughout the world. Some of her favorites included: Catalina Island, Lake Tahoe, Santa Barbara, Hawaii, Santa Cruz, Alaska, Costa Rica, Italy, Jordan, Kenya, China, Newfoundland, South America, Mexico, Turkey, London, the Caribbean, New York and many more.

One of Diane’s greatest joys was spending time in Wisconsin, the home of her daughter and grandchildren. Together they experienced: block parties on Kent Avenue, Brewers games, concerts at Summerfest, Whitefish Bay 4th of July festivities, too many youth sporting events to count, wine nights with the ladies, summers by the lake, and even cold Wisconsin winters. She will be greatly missed by her many Cheesehead friends. 

There will be a private Celebration of Life held in the coming weeks. 

In lieu of flowers, donations are appreciated to charitable organizations she supported throughout her life. 

UCLA FOUNDATION

JEWISH FEDERATION OF LOS ANGELES

KCRW

HARRIET BUHAI CENTER FOR FAMILY LAW

HEAL THE BAY

OBAMA FOUNDATION