Diane M. Moder

Diane M. “Gigi” Moder

October 15, 1940 - August 26, 2025

Heaven rejoiced on August 26, 2025, with the arrival of Diane M. “Gigi” (Elliott) Moder at the age of 84. Affectionately called “Gigi” by her grandchildren, she was a devoted wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Diane’s passion for Christian ministry radiated as she shared the Gospel of Jesus Christ with women worldwide and with everyone she met.

Diane is survived by her son, Pastor Mark and his wife, Pastor Stephanie Moder; son Scott and wife, Janet Moder; close family friends Carol Nomides and Patti Irwin; grandson Harrison and wife, Autumn Moder; granddaughter Victoria and husband, Skyler Smith; grandson Jordyn and wife, Morgan Moder; grandson Colston Moder; granddaughter Kathryn and husband, Josiah Parkhill; grandson Trenten Moder. She is also survived by great-grandchildren Tommy Jane, Hallie, Tripp, and Scout Moder, as well as many nieces and nephews. Diane was preceded in death by her husband, John F. “Fred” Moder, Jr.; father Edwin Charles Elliott; mother Dorothy Anna (Vincent) Elliott; brother Richard Edwin “Dick” Elliott; brother David H. Elliott; and brother Gary Elliott.

Born in Franklin, Pennsylvania, on October 15, 1940, Diane’s family moved 19 times before settling in Dormont, PA, where she attended Dormont High School. Diane met her future husband, “Fred” Moder, in local politics, married on April 15, 1961, and purchased a house in Dormont. They celebrated 56 years of marriage and welcomed two sons, Mark and Scott, into their home. Diane actively volunteered at church, school, and in the Dormont community. Using an electric typewriter, she created a Dormont Borough phonebook, meticulously typing names, addresses, and phone numbers from the multi-volume Pittsburgh “Ma Bell” phonebook. While doing so, she memorized phone numbers of local businesses and friends. Her free phonebooks served Dormont residents for decades.

Fred and Diane built a summer cabin on a dirt road in Confluence, PA, where they spent nearly every non-winter weekend. Diane loved hosting family, friends, and neighbors at “Pap’s Cabin.” Her grandchildren hold dear their memories of hot dog and s’mores campfires with Gigi. Diane spent most of the summer of 2025 at her cabin, even trimming the grass with a line trimmer days before her passing.

Diane came to Christ during the 1970s “Jesus Movement,” led worship at Faith Christian Fellowship in Confluence, and later became an ordained minister. Diane was devoted to her son’s local church, Berean Church Pittsburgh. She was also passionate about Christian ministry to women through Aglow International (www.aglow.org), where she served on the International Board of Directors and traveled the world sharing the Gospel and ministering to women. Aglow is a global Kingdom movement of 170 nations with a unified purpose to see God’s will done on earth as it is in Heaven. Diane faithfully led and attended ministry Zoom meetings up to five days per week. She completed a ministry project and shared emails and text messages with family and friends until late into the night just before her passing.

Devoted to her six grandchildren, Gigi was their biggest cheerleader. She never missed a significant life milestone, remembered every birthday, and made multiple trips, even traveling overseas, to attend their church, academic, sports, and Boy Scout events.

Family and friends are invited to the visitation from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Friday, September 5, 2025, at William Slater II Funeral Service, 1650 Greentree Road, Scott Twp., 15220, 412-563-2800. The family will share in a final prayer at the funeral home at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 6, followed by a private burial at Mt. Lebanon Cemetery.

Friends and family are warmly invited to a Celebration of Life memorial service at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 6, 2025, at Berean Church Pittsburgh, located at 300 Rockfield Circle, Pittsburgh, PA 15243. Pastor Steve Parkhill and Diane’s son, Pastor Mark Moder, will officiate. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Diane’s beloved ministries, Berean Church Pittsburgh, www.bereanchurchpgh.com, and Aglow International, www.aglow.org.

Friends may leave condolences by viewing Diane’s online obituary at www.slaterfuneral.com.