Dana Marie Opitz's Obituary
Dana Marie Opitz was born on March 15, 1978 in Dallas, Texas and passed peacefully and unexpectedly in her sleep on October 24, 2023 in Dallas.
Dana grew up in Duncanville, Texas and graduated from Duncanville High School in 1996 where she was a member of the Duncanville Pantherette basketball team. She attended the University of North Texas in Denton, majoring in Psychology. She earned her Juris Doctor degree from St. Thomas University School of Law in Miami, Florida in May, 2004. Dana served as a Senator in the Student Bar Association, was a Phi Alpha Delta member and a Founding Member of the St. Thomas More Law Society. Dana was a member of the State Bar of Texas and Florida and returned to Dallas in 2005 where she practiced law.
In 2021 Dana started her teaching career at the Judge Barefoot Sanders Law Magnet at the Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Magnet Center in the Dallas Independent School District where her passion for mentoring and teaching young scholars blossomed.
Dana is survived by her mother Lynda Sperry Opitz, father and stepmother Danny and Nancy Opitz, brother Marc Opitz of Denver, stepbrothers Bobby Malone of Los Angeles and Kevin Malone of Dallas, and many special aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
We are sincerely grateful to the many friends who have given us support and comfort during this time of loss.
Dana's legacy is best remembered in the following message from a colleague sent to the Townview Community:
It is with heavy heart that I share the news of a great loss within our Townview family. We received the devastating news that our beloved Law Magnet teacher, Ms. Dana Opitz, passed away.
Ms. Opitz's departure leaves a void that will be difficult to fill. She was a passionate educator, a beacon of light for Law Magnet students, and a cherished friend of the staff.
One of the most remarkable qualities that defined Ms. Opitz was the meaningful relationships she had with her students. She had an exceptional gift for making every student feel valued.
This is evidenced by the scores of notes and letters that lie on her desk and on the walls of her classroom as well as the shared memories that will be told for many years to come.
Anyone who knew Ms. Opitz would tell you that her positivity was infectious, and it radiated through our hallways. Her enthusiasm for teaching was evident in every lesson she delivered, and she had a unique ability to inspire her students, cheerleading them throughout their years on campus. Ms. Opitz fell in love with teaching and left being a lawyer to come work at the Law Magnet. Her experience, career, and ability to match legal theory with practice left a mark on the lives of countless students.
What’s your fondest memory of Dana?
What’s a lesson you learned from Dana?
Share a story where Dana's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Dana you’ll never forget.
How did Dana make you smile?