After a long courageous battle with cancer, Dana passed away peacefully in her sleep on Sept. 30th. She will be greatly missed by all those who shared a part of her life. 

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When Dana was growing up, she was a member of the high school cross-country track team, band, and of course the math club. After graduating from high school Dana went on to get her Bachelor of Science degree from SFU. 

Then she took a break from school to travel in Thailand, Japan, Indonesia and finally New Zealand. She spent time with family there, Aunt Marla and Uncle Mike and their kids, and she also set off on her own to bike around the islands—one of many adventures in Dana’s life. 

Returning from her travels, she began her studies toward earning her PhD in Molecular Biology from the University of Calgary, graduating in 1998. Soon after she headed to San Diego to begin post-doctoral work at the Salk Institute. There she worked with scientists from around the world. Her time there away from work was spent exploring the beautiful city and taking up a new hobby, birding, which became a passion in her life from that point on.

Dana met her future wife, Sue in San Diego. They moved to Winnipeg in 2002, where Dana accepted a position as an Assistant Professor at the University of Manitoba in the Botany Department. Dana and Sue were married in 2006, and their daughter Sarah was born the following year.  As a family they enjoyed many activities together over the years. An annual stay in the Hecla cabins, winter trips to warm places, and always enjoyed gardening together.

Spring meant the beginning of the garden planning. Dana always had a plan. She loved her list and charts. It truly was a family affair from turning the soil to planting the seeds. When time to harvest Dana enjoyed making soups and cooking what we had grown. 

Dana’s other passions in life were birding, biking and singing.  Dana would bike to work at the university from the minute the flooded trails along the river were dry again until the snow returned, always with her binoculars at hand to observe any birds she met along the way. She spent many hours birding, here in Winnipeg and wherever their travels took them: Mexico, PEI, Maui, the Bahamas, California, and Vancouver Island. Singing was also a big part of her life. She was always a part of a choir wherever she lived: in Calgary, Rocky Mountain Singers Choir, followed by San Diego Women’s Chorus, and the Rainbow Harmony Project here in Winnipeg.

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After Dana’s diagnosis of ovarian cancer in 2013, life changed but Dana’s courage and strength carried her through life. Her laughter was often heard across a room, and many times brought joy to those around her. Her memory and strength will forever be in our hearts.

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She is remembered by her wife, Sue; daughter, Sarah; mother, Jane; siblings, Erinn, Adam and Katy; grandmother, Dianne; step-mother, Liz; step-siblings, Emily, Alex, and Melissa; and many in-laws, cousins, nieces, nephews, uncles and aunts.

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In lieu of flowers, feel free to donate in Dana’s honour to Ovarian Cancer Canada: https://ovariancanada.org/Get-Involved/Donate.

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ETHICAL DEATH CARE

Cremation & Life Celebrations

530 St, Mary Avenue - Winnipeg

204-421-5501 - www.ethicaldeathcare.com

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