26, of Providence was born in Johnstown, Pennsylvania on June 23, 1983 and died on Sunday, December 27, 2009 of complications associated with Marfan's Syndrome, a genetic disorder. She is survived by her mother Jennifer Irish, her father James Wright, her brother Jonathan Wright, her paternal grandmother Ann Wright, her maternal grandfather Carlton Irish and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins who loved her.

Dana came to Providence with her family at the age of 5, attended St. Paul's Catholic Elementary School and Feinstein High School. She went on to earn her bachelors degree at Rhode Island College in just three years and was listed in the 2004 Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. While enrolled at RIC, she was an active member and elected officer of Harambe, a student run organization that organized and promoted multicultural events. A freelance writer and author, she was also a tireless advocate for the disabled. In 2004, Dana created the Access Challenge, an educational program with a mission of teaching disability awareness and the importance of handicap accessibility. She coordinated the Access Challenge for both Rhode Island College and Providence College.
Dana also created a website at www.MakingAccess.com to help people locate disability related resources and information. Her book Rolling With Nia Nia Can features a young girl in a wheelchair and was designed to promote love and acceptance among young children of those who are differently-abled. Dana received numerous awards for her efforts to help others including the Feinstein Scholarship for Community Service, the RI Young Professional of the Year Award and the YWCA's Women of Distinction Award.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 2, 11 a.m. at the Cathedral of Life Church, 1860 Westminster Street, Providence. It was her wish that everyone attending wear something yellow in celebration of her life.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory can be made to Boston Children's Hospital Cardiovascular Program at 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115 or on-line at http://giving.childrenshospital.org/NetCommunity/GiftInfo