Dana Brezzi

For anyone that cannot attend Dana’s final farewell on Friday, RM Sotheby’s has provided for a live stream beginning at 2p.m.  http://www.rmsothebys.com/dana/

With deep sadness and great love, we announce the passing of Dana Joy Brezzi (Santavy) on April 3, 2016. Dana died peacefully surrounded by her family and friends following her eight-and-a-half year battle with cancer. She leaves behind her husband and rock, Paul, and her angel, her reason to fight as long and hard as she did, Isabella Kai. Dana is also survived by her mother Margaret Santavy; brothers Greg Santavy and his fiancée Leah Lee and Mark Santavy and his wife Mary Lynn; nephews Nathan, Brayden, and Chase; in-laws Mariano and Santina Brezzi; sister-in-law Patricia and her husband John Edmonson; and nieces Sara and Courtney. Dana is predeceased by her father Frank Santavy and nephew Tyson Santavy.

While we grieve for this beautiful life taken too soon, our hearts overflow with gratitude that we were able to bear witness to the inspiring life she led. It has been a humble privilege and great blessing to share in this journey with her. Born in Chatham, Ontario, Dana was raised a Blenheim girl, complete with summers spent by the lake and culminating in her loss of the coveted Blossom Queen title. She went on to attend the University of Windsor, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Communications and late-night border-crossing booze runs. She began her career at RM in 1995 and quickly became RM’s head cheerleader and beloved snowflake of Rob Myers. Her career brought her around the world, including a quick stint as a California girl living in Santa Monica, and ultimately making her way home to meet the love of her life, Paul Brezzi. The two married in 2006 and gave birth to beautiful Isabella Kai in 2007.

Dana’s joyful spirit lit up every place she went and dazzled every person she met. Hundreds of people called her friend and thousands of people have been inspired by her story of hope in the midst of great challenge. In the short years she had, she taught us all to love without abandon, to live without fear, to celebrate today, to hope for the future, and to find joy in the everyday miracles of life.

Dana was a vivacious soul, always planning a new adventure and ready to make new memories. She had an open heart and an open home, and she made everything beautiful. She was an incredible wife, mother, daughter, daughter-in-law, sister, aunt, and friend. She was the memory keeper for countless groups of friends, family, and soul sisters. She made friends everywhere she went, whether from the far corners of the globe or just across her hometown—and once you were a friend, you were a friend for life. She was the glue who held us all together over the years. To be loved by her was an enormous joy, and our lives are so much richer for having known her.

Dana did not have the time here with us that we so hoped she would, but she did have just enough time to forever change the lives she touched.

Visitation services will be held on Thursday, April 7, from 12:00–3:00 pm and 5:00–8:00 pm at The Armoury in Chatham at 44 William St. N. A funeral service will be held on Friday, April 8, at 2:00 pm at the same location.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like you to consider a donation to a memorial fund established in Dana’s name at the Foundation of Chatham-Kent Health Alliance–the Dana Brezzi Memorial Fund, or to the Cottage Dreams Cancer Recovery Initiative. The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Laurie MacEacheron and the entire staff of the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance Oncology Department.

#vivalacure #dailygratitude #biglove #onemoreday