Dana Ann Drago's Obituary
Dana Ann (Palmieri) Drago, born March 20, 1958, in Boston, MA, the eldest of four daughters of John and Nancy Palmieri, passed away peacefully on February 8, 2017 in Dallas after bravely fighting early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. Dana is survived by her children John, Nicholas and Rebecca, her parents, John and Nancy Palmieri and her sisters Lisa, Beth, and Jennifer. As the daughter of a naval officer, Dana spent her childhood in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Hawaii, Mississippi, Virginia, South Carolina and California. Dana graduated from Bishop England High School in Charleston, SC in 1976 and attended the University of Mississippi where she graduated summa cum laude with a degree in Business in 1979. While at Ole Miss, Dana was very involved with her sorority Kappa Delta and served as president from 1978 – 1979, and developed life-long friendships. Dana had a very successful career in banking. She began her professional journey with Bank of America in CA where she honed her leadership and management skills for 24 years. Her career spanned 33 years and brought her to North Carolina, New England, and ultimately to Dallas where she worked as Executive Vice President of Retail Banking for Comerica before she retired in 2013. Dana was kind and generous with an infectious enthusiasm for everyone she encountered, and she tackled nothing half way. She enjoyed donating her time and expertise to many service and non-profit organizations through the years including the United Way, the American Heart Association, March of Dimes and Alzheimer’s associations. Dana loved mentoring, whether it was helping young women launch their business careers, or teaching yoga to young children in her retirement. Dana was always very active and enjoyed running, walking, biking and yoga. She loved traveling with her family and especially cherished the family trips she was able to take during her brief retirement, to destinations including Scotland, Aruba, St. Thomas and Cape Cod. Dana was most proud of her three beautiful children, John, Nicholas, and Rebecca; and it was a blessing to her that she could see the strong young adults they have grown into and the careers they have begun. She was at peace knowing that they are happy and will be loved and guided by their father, John Drago, and Dana’s extended family. The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to Dana’s many loving and dedicated caregivers, hospice team, nurses and doctors who protected and cared for her on her journey, and especially Misty Keown, Dana’s fierce guardian angel here on earth. Dana was very spiritual and prepared herself well for this transition with grace and dignity. She was ready to move to the next phase and knows that she will still be connected to all whom she loved. When you see a butterfly, or feel the presence of an angel, know that it is Dana delighting in being with you. In Dana’s favorite words…. “All is well – Namaste”. Funeral service will be held on March 4, 2017 at 10:00 AM at St. Barnabas Catholic Church, 1697 E. Main Rd., Portsmouth, Rhode Island. (Please check back here for time.) In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Dana’s name to “UT Southwestern Medical Center” c/o Memory Research Unit. Note on the memo line of the check: “Dr. Mary Quiceno in memory of Dana Drago” (Dana’s neurologist, whose research we would like to support). Please include the name and address to which you would like your acknowledgement to be sent. The mailing address is: UT Southwestern Medical Center c/o Memory Research Unit Development Office, P.O. Box 910888, Dallas, TX 75391-0888. Include with the check in memory of Dana Drago, as well as the name and address to which you would like your acknowledgment to be sent.
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