Diana Lynn Knous Sklar

Diana Knous Sklar, 65, formerly of Walpole and Norwood, passed away at
her home in Plainville on December 18, 2025. Diana was a 1978 graduate
of Walpole Highschool. She completed her undergraduate degree at
UMass Boston, and went on to Boston College where, in 1989, she earned
a masters degree in social work. Shortly thereafter, she completed all of the
social work licensing requirements and became a Licensed Independent
Clinical Social Worker (LICSW). She worked as a social worker for 37
years at a number of hospitals and care facilities. When she moved to
Plainville she started her own very successful private counseling practice.

Diana was a passionate advocate for anyone who needed help, whether
they were clients, friends or family. And, she was as generous with her time
and money as she was with her empathy. When family members suffered
from serious injury or illness she helped advocate for them with the
hospitals and doctors, and sort through the complex insurance company
red tape.

Diana loved spending time at her family summer house in Wellfleet. She spent
many happy hours at Gull Pond or out on Nauset beach. She was great at
organizing holiday parties and celebrations. She always showed up with a
big bag of party favors, games and activities for the kids (adults were not
exempt from participation).

She donated to several charities, especially those organizations that help
animals. Having grown up in a home full of all types of pets, she loved
animals. She rescued all of her pets (except for the guinea pig), and never
gave up on them no matter how difficult they were. She volunteered at
Winslow Farm Animal Sanctuary where her favorite task was walking a
blind donkey. She went to bat for a horse that wasn't being properly cared
for at the barn where he was being boarded and got him moved to a safe
home. She helped out further by buying some of his food and paying
veterinary costs.

Diana loved her family, especially her grandson Miles. She always had a
great time with him on her visits to Brooklyn, and on their frequent Facetime
conversations. Diana will be sorely missed by her surviving family
members.

Diana is survived by: the love of her life, her 4 year old grandson, Miles
Ray of Brooklyn, NY, her daughter Samantha Ray and her son-in-law
Martin Ray also of Brooklyn, NY; her sister Linda Knous Johnson of
Pascoag, RI; her nephew Aaron Johnson and his wife Michelle and their
children Owen and Abigail of Walpole; her niece Michelle Johnson and her
life-partner Erik MacDonald of Sharon; her nephew Zakary Paquette of
Stoughton; her niece Izabel Paquette of Stoughton.

Diana is predeceased by: her life-partner John DiMascio; her father William
Knous of Walpole; her mother Carolyn Hilton Knous Paquette and her
second father Alfred J. Paquette both of Walpole; her sister Cathy Barnes
of Foxboro; her brother Alfred S. Paquette of Walpole; and her brother
Darryll Paquette of Bellingham.

A Celebration of Life for Diana will be held on Saturday, 1/24 at 11:00AM at the Murray Unitarian Universalist Church, 505 N. Main St, in Attleboro, MA. In lieu of flowers please send donations in Diana’s memory to the Winslow Farm Animal
Sanctuary, 37 Eddy Street, Norton, MA 02766.