Joyce Ann (White) Dana

Bethesda, MD --- Joyce Ann (nee: White) Dana, 94, passed away on Monday August 4, 2008, at Carriage Hill in Bethesda after a short illness.

She was born April 26, 1914, in Waunakee, daughter of John Lewis White and Exilda (nee: Hackett) White. On August 22, 1945, she married Warren M. Dana in Racine. He preceded her in death on March 12, 1967.

Early in her career, Joyce was employed in her parents’ newspaper businesses in southern Wisconsin. She was later employed as a secretary at Belle City Malleable after she moved to Racine in 1942.

Joyce studied art at UW-Madison and UW-Parkside, and maintained a lifelong talent for portrait sketching. She especially enjoyed sketching children and created hundreds of portraits during her visits to Racine public schools. She was also noted for the exhibition of her works at the Wustum Museum of Fine Arts. Her artistic activity continued even past age 90 when she moved to Silver Spring, Maryland, to reside with her daughter. During visits to cafes, gardens and parks she filled dozens of sketchbooks with a visual record of the people she met and the places she visited. Joyce was also an accomplished pianist and enjoyed this form of musical expression throughout her life. She was a long-time member of Olympia Brown Unitarian Universalist Church. Joyce was also active in League of Women Voters, Symphony Guild and Hoy Nature Club.

Survivors include her son John (Deborah) Dana of Mount Pleasant; daughters Carol Dana of Ellicott City, Maryland, and Martha (George) Vance of Silver Spring, Maryland. She is further survived by grandchildren Susan (Niel) Thoreson of West Allis, Lorie (Matthew) Oscarson of Caledonia, and Alexander Barge of Silver Spring, MD. In addition to her parents and husband, Joyce was preceded in death by her brothers Lyle White and Byron White. She was also pre-deceased by her six beloved dogs, Mackie, Reggie, Ricka, Joey, Sam and Corgi.

Relatives and friends may meet with family at the funeral home on Thursday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. A Memorial Service will be held at the Olympia Brown Unitarian Universalist Church, 625 College Avenue, Friday, August 8, 2008, at 10 a.m. with Rev. Tony Larsen officiating. Burial will take place at Graceland Cemetery. Memorials to the Olympia Brown Unitarian Universalist Church or to the Hope Safehouse have been suggested.

MARESH-MEREDITH & ACKLAM FUNERAL HOME
803 Main St.,Racine (262) 634-7888