Connie Dana passed away unexpectedly on Friday, April 19th (Good Friday) at Health Central Hospital in Ocoee, Florida at 3:08 pm. During her last hours she was surrounded by family. Connie was born in her grandparents' home in Weston, W. V. in 1934. She graduated from Laurel High School in 1952 and later graduated with a bachelor's degree in psychology from Lynchburg State College in 1958. She was married to the late Richard C. Dana II in 1956 who preceded her in death in 1969.

She was the Granddaughter of the late Russell and Lucretia Mathews and late Dolphus and Dessie Hildebrand of Weston, West Virginia. She was the daughter of the late Golden C. and Wana G. Hildebrand of Woodstown, New Jersey. She had three siblings: Lloyd Hildebrand who lives in Ft. White, Florida; the late Brian Hildebrand who lived in Denton, Maryland and Armita Carmen Hildebrand who died in infancy.

She is survived by four children: Richard C. Dana III and wife Laura Dana of Apopka Florida; Duranne P. "Randy" Hawkins and husband Alva R. Hawkins of Ocoee, Florida; Dawn R. Knight and husband Michael Knight of Altamonte Springs, Florida and Emily J. Sears of Fairmont, West Virginia.

She is also survived by seven grandchildren, Max Ogden of Altamonte Springs, Florida; Michelle Birdsall of Burbank California; Alva Hawkins II of Ocoee, Florida, Alex Sears of Atlanta, Georgia, Ariel Sears of Morgantown, West Virginia and Sam and Eric Dana of Apopka, Florida. She also had two granddaughters, Paulina and Lucy Dana who died in infancy.
She is also survived by two great grandchildren; Anna Sears and Clare Arianne.

She retired from the Department of Health and Human Services in Clarksburg, West, Virginia in 1996 after many years of service as a Social Services Worker.

After 20 good years of retirement, she suffered a severe stroke in 2016 which left her unable to care for herself. Her family moved her to Ocoee Health Care Center in Ocoee, Florida, close to three of her children, where she spent the last 2 1/2 years of her life.
She was an extremely intelligent woman who loved to read and play scrabble; very open minded and void of any prejudice, and a compassionate person who spent the last few years of her life giving generously to those in need.

After her stroke, that took so much of her abilities from her, she had moments of extreme frustration about her difficulty speaking and inability to do things for herself, but for the most part she continued to be the easy going person she always was and was loved by the nursing home staff.
She will be deeply missed by all. We are excited about her being reunited with all her family who passed before her and know it is a blessing she is freed by the physical restraints caused by her stroke.
We love you so much Mom.

Services are as follows:
Greeting of Friends
APR 26. 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
DeGusipe Funeral Home & Crematory - West Orange Chapel
1400 Matthew Paris Blvd.
Ocoee, FL, 34761
Celebration of Life
APR 26. 2:00 PM
DeGusipe Funeral Home & Crematory - West Orange Chapel
1400 Matthew Paris Blvd.
Ocoee, FL, 34761

There will be a private family gathering after the services.