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Time is such a funny thing. It feels like yesterday I was talking to her. But months got away from me and although I had tried calling there was no answer. I thought she must be busy I'll try again later, but later ended up being a month and another and then I realized I hadn't spoken to her since early June. The calls went directly to voicemail and her Facebook account was gone. I thought she must have decided to take a break from Facebook, no matter we'll catch up. But we won't. Finally when I became concerned enough about the time that passed since we last spoke I googled her name and came across  this beautiful tribute. We had become friends 5 years ago shortly after she had moved to Sudbury.  She was charismatic and quick to make friends wherever she went. Dana was an amazing woman, she loved gardening and made spectacular bread, kombucha and unforgettable coffee. Her life wasn't without its challenges. And perhaps that is how we knew each other best. She was a fast and fierce friend, quick to be at your side, and always there to help. I will always cherish our conversations. I will miss her dearly. My heart goes out to her family and to everyone who knew that brightly shining star within her.

Hi Nancy and family. Our deepest condolences. On behalf of myself Robert, Rick and Natalie we are heartbroken about Dana. She was so kind and felt her warmth the moment I met her. She was always smiling and genuinely happen to see me and my family and we loved her like family. I know how much she cared for my dad and felt that she, like my sister, had great adoration for him. My dad felt the same of her.  Nancy, we have tried sending you a video that we wanted to share with you but need your phone number.  Can you send your phone number to: robertblanchet@gmail.com 

I remember pulling weeds in the community garden with Dana last summer and batting around thoughts about the future. Could we have predicted a world with Dana? My life is emptier without her. I loved her. I admired her. I was inspired by her. 

I am so very shocked and saddened to learn of Dana’s passing. I will always remember her as a great student and wonderful young woman in high school. My thoughts of caring and sympathy are with Dana’s family and friends at this exceptionally sad time. Repose en paix, chère Dana  Terry Borys Former Principal at CJS

I will always remember Dana as being such a warm, genuine and wonderful human being.  I had only seen her a few times since high school unfortunately, but she was always so amazing to connect with anytime we chanced to meet.  She will be dearly missed.  My deepest condolences to the family.  

Our deepest sympathy to all of Dana’s family and friends. As I read the comments left here by those who knew her personally and shared part of her life in each individual way, I am impressed by the heartfelt thoughts and definite gratitude  expressed.  I  am a Stevenson cousin of the Dixon’s, Charlie and Lillian Stevenson’s daughter, Marilyn, and the Dixon-Stevenson cottage on Lake of the Woods was a part of all of our childhoods. In the diaries there, I often read read of Nancy and Dana’s visits, and I remember how much Dana loved nature, swimming, fishing, and everything that  cottage stood for.  As well, I babysat Nancy, Mona, and Jeff, for Mick and Dorothy, about 60 years ago.  Rest In Peace, Dana. You will be sadly missed. A life well-lived. In the days to come, those of you who mourn her will be in our thoughts and prayers. 

I just want to say how sorry we are to hear of Dana’s passing. Our prayers go out to her family and all who knew and loved her.  Tina, Ryan, Darla and Finley. 

My typed words will pale in comparison to the feelings in my heart, but I'll try. Dana was a precious human being. Our souls must have recognized eachother because we became friends instantly. Dana always pronounced my name en francais...a memory that makes me smile. I admired her brilliance & insightfulness, her huge and open poet's heart, her free spirit. She truly did sparkle! What a gift and an honour to have had her in my life. My heart will cherish her always. With so much Love, Aimée ❤

I can't believe she is gone. She made my life a better place. Stood by my side and encouraged me to be better and keep fighting for what I love, my children. I will forever miss her sultry blink...lmao. I love you so so much Dana....we will catch those fireflies in the next life. And then put them in balloons....cause we dicks like that. Xoxoxox

Dana was my very first best friend from our early days on Enfield and throughout my childhood.  I have so many good memories of us growing up together and I am truly heart broken that she is gone.

I loved hanging out with Danes in high school. She was sparkly, clever, funny, silly and warm hearted. She had a free spirit I always admired and I always felt sunshiny energy whenever she was around. Sending healing and prayers to Dana's family. Noelle 

I just learned of Dana's passing today. We did our MAs together at Concordia and she was both unbelievably cool and also someone fun to hang out with. Those don't usually go together, and I'm so sorry to hear of her loss. My heart goes out to all who knew and loved her. 

So sad, I ran into her randomly a number of years ago and she instantly ran over to ask how I was doing and what was I up to before I'd even had a chance to recognize her. Such a genuinely friendly person. My thoughts are with her family.

Dana will be missed by everyone. I can't imagine how Gordon, Nancy, Dale, Jeff and Jenn feel but my heart really does go out to all of you. Her whole heart was filled with love for those around her. I will miss you so much, as will the world you changed. I love you. 

we are so sorry to hear about Dana. All of you are  in our hearts and prayers❤ Janice Beveridge and Rita and Patrick Covernton and families 

Thinking of Dana’s family! Dana was an incredible person - She had a sparkle like no other. She was a friend that always listened with such intent and care. She will always hold a special place in my heart.  Sara

to nancy and dana's family and friends: my deepest condolences to you all. i'm holding you all in my heart and thoughts as you move through this truly difficult, and surely bewildering, time. xoxo here is a message i posted to facebook after i first found out. it's quite long, please feel free to skip over: dana was by far one of the most special, superbly brilliant, hilarious, radiant, intense, gorgeous, passionate, magical and "alive" people i have ever met in my life. i met her on a very hot and memorable winnipeg summer night, over a few decades ago. i remember what she was wearing. she was probably one of the coolest, most beautiful and unique-looking women i'd ever seen and she exuded...well, so much. she looked like the coolest pixie there ever was. anyone who met her even once remembers her. men were often enamored of her. her imagination was unparalleled and she had a big ol' heart. needless to say, we became fast friends. at one point, the best of friends. the story of how we met and became friends is epic, one for the ages. we ended up living in the same city twice (ottawa and montreal), working together, taking a cross-canada train trip together, dreaming up future plans of opening a magical café, "carpe DM" (d for dana, m for manon - cheesy, i know!) dana and i had a falling out about a decade ago. she'd gone through some tough times and i no longer recognized her. it just got to be too painful and heavy to be in her presence. it broke my heart at the time but i walked away from the friendship, deliberately but with great difficulty. i worried about her but i always thought she'd find her way back, and most importantly, that we'd find each other again. about six months ago, she sent me a facebook friend request. i was overjoyed! i accepted her request and intended on writing her a message to find out how she was, to tell her i miss her and love her, always. i never did. just two weeks ago, i saw a woman at the park, playing in the water structures with her baby and young child. it looked so much like dana. she was beautiful and radiated that same je-ne-sais-quoi, a certain innocence and lightness and beauty. i couldn't stop staring! i visualized myself writing to dana to tell her. i didn't. love is a funny thing, isn't it? even when it's not there, it's always there. despite the time and distance between us, i hope dana knew that she was still in my heart and one of my most cherished friends. seeking out old email exchanges with her, i came across one of her last messages to me before we parted. it said that she had "chosen hope over the riverbed". the rest of the message is cut off and my memory is too foggy to retrieve the meaning behind that. i do know she suffered greatly and her friends sometimes worried about her. all i can hope is that, as she entered the river one last time, she felt a calmness of sorts, and a sense of peace. as for me. well, the love remains. it will, forever, ma très chère et unique daners. je t'aime tellement, belle amie de mon coeur. i don't really know how to navigate this newfound grief but i know enough by now to know that there's no real way around grief, only through it. while holding on to what buoys us, and to the love that remains. rest in peace and love, d. m xo❤

Gord, Nancy, Dale, Jenn, Jeff , family and friends. We are so incredibly sad to hear of your loss of Dana. Sending you all our love and prayers. Denis Boyda and Cindy Landry-Boyda

Dear Gordie, Nancy, Dale, Jenn, Jeff and family.  Sending you our deepest heartfelt sympathies on the loss of dear Dana.  Words cannot express how deeply we feel for you all.  May you find strength and courage as you grieve your loss and may you all feel her presence when you need it the most.  Wrapping you all in the biggest warmest hug.   With much love and prayers Danny & Terry Sabourin

Dear Gord & Nancy our hearts break for you and the family on the loss of your precious daughter and sister.  We never know what life has in store for us .....we wish you strength through these difficult times and peace knowing Dana surrounds you all with her love from above.  All of our Love and Prayers Our most sincere sympathies  Bev & Gilbert Vermette.

Dana was one of those friends who you could meet up with every few years and nothing skipped a beat. Warm, funny and incredibly smart, I'm so sad that we'll never have another sprawling conversation or quiet walk together. I can only imagine the pain you're going through but know that her life touched so many people and we're all better for having her in our lives. 

So sorry to learn of your daughter's passing. Sincerest Sympathies Nancy.

Shimmering intelligence, sensitivity, depth - transformative to study, learn, imagine with her. My sympathy and sorrow, Deborah Schnitzer 

My deepest condolences to the family. There are no words. Dana was my very best friend. We took care of each other and she was a blessing in my life. Iam going to miss her so very much. I love you Dana. Till we meet again my girl 💔

Our Deepest Condolences to you Nancy Dixon and to you Gord Landry and to Grandma Dorothy.    Thoughts and Prayers,  Rene and Carol Baril

Nancy and Gord,  I can hardly think of the words I want to say, trying to understand the depth of loss to both of you, your families and those like us who consider Dana to be a treasure in our lives. Over the years a story would  sometimes come to my mind leaving me with a big smile.  I recall the day that as I parked my car in front of our house, I could see little Dana running up the street with something in her arms, coming to meet up with my son Joel, her dear little friend.  It was with great pleasure that she introduced him to her new Cabbage Patch Kid.  The look on her face was priceless…absolute happiness! I  treasure that memory because it reminds of the beauty in the little moments of our lives. We are very sad and very sorry that Dana has left us.  Our hearts are with you both. Joy, Julien and Gabriel

Such wonderful memories of the Landry family..........sincerest sympathies from Janis and Terry Serediuk.

My heart has hurt since I first heard the news.  Dana is the only person I've ever known who literally sparkled.  She was luminous.  My profound condolences to all of Dana's family and to all her many friends.  

I'm thinking of you Dorothy in this very sad time.  Caren

Our sincere condolences to all Dana’s loved ones - we are so sad to hear of her death, and share sympathy with all those  that mourn her passing. Neil and Ingrid Stevenson

It is with a heavy heart I send my sincere sympathies  to Nancy Dixon, Gord Landry, Dale, Jeff and Jenn. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. May God take Dana in to his loving arms and keep her safe. May God also give the family the strength they need today and in the days to come and give them the strength and peace they need.

That big radiating smile is how I remember Dana. It was heart-warming to see it again captured in the high school grad picture. Sending that radiating glow out now to those grieving and in memory of Dana. 

"And we wept that one so lovely should have a life so brief." from Death of the Flowers by William Cullen Bryant. Our paths didn't cross as often as I would have wished them to, but when they did I always found Dana to be charming company. In particular, I remember the Stevenson family reunion in Morris, and a visit she and Nancy made to our cottage at Crow Lake. Dana had so much going for her - beauty, intelligence, and an engaging personality. Our condolences to those who loved her most, her parents Nancy and Gordon. Aunt Harriet & Uncle Paul Hart

My condolences,to Gord, any all the rest of the family. Beautiful video.

We will miss her, she was obviously a very kind and gentle person, who was obviously unafraid to tackle "big tasks" in life.  Condolences and kind wishes to Gord, Nancy and the immediate Dixon clan.    - Ian, Kelly, Cam and Keith Dixon

My condolences to Nancy and family ❤

What a special heartfelt tribute to a beautiful soul. 💕

Dana was such an amazing, kind, funny and independent spirit. Whenever we met up we could continue where we left off. She had such amazing ideas and dreams. Always an adventurer. May her great adventures continue. 😁 

We only met Dana a few times but she left a big impression with us. She was such a bright light and a joy to talk to. She had a warm personality and smile. What a wonderful tribute to a beautiful soul. Thinking of you all … with Love, Keith and Darlene 

Our sincere condolences to all the famlies.Memories of a beautiful person will remain forever .❤

Our sincere condolences goes out to her families ( her mother Nancy...her father Gord Landry as well as her siblings Dale Landry, Dana's sister Jenn and brother Jeff as well as other family members and friends. We were heart- broken to learn of your passing. May you rest in peace.. .❤🙏🙏🙏🙏❣

❤❤We remember and will always remember her soft ways in which she spoke, how she would say my name and honor me by calling me Aunie Trish and by honoring Uncle Ray with the title "Uncle Ray". Her laughter would just make you feel happy hearing it. Her laugh was a laugh that you just had to chime in when you heard it! She was brilliant and had a heart of gold! We will always remember her from being that sweet little girl right through to the young women she became. Taken from us way too soon. Dana...you were loved...you were special and will never be forgotten...❤❤❤❤

My deepest condolences to you and your family and may you find strength in each other. Hugs 

My deepest condolences to the Landry family. Thinking of all of you. 

My sincerest sympathies go out to Gord, Dale, Jeff & Jen ❤❤❤. I remember babysitting you kids and Dana was such a sweet, kind, and responsible girl. I am so very sad to hear of her passing, and so young. Take care Landry family, sending you all big (((Hugs))). Candace Edel Jorgenson