paragon
PAIR-uh-gonnounMeaning a model of excellence; a perfect example of a good quality
Memory hook a PAIR of GOLD medals: a model of goodness. Rosa wins a pair of gold medals at school, one for kindness and one for honesty. She is a paragon of good character.
Granny Mae is a paragon of patience; no one has ever heard her raise her voice.
In context The knight in the old tales was a paragon of courage and kindness: he never ran from danger and never turned away anyone in need.
Similar model, ideal, exemplar, epitome
From Old Italian paragone, “a touchstone,” a stone once used to test the purity of gold.