Dana Rodriguez

September 17, 1972- October 15, 2025

Dana (DeHart) Rodriguez, 53 years old, passed away on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, in Calvert Memorial Hospital in Prince Frederick, Maryland surrounded by her family.

She was born in Washington D.C. in 1972 to Paul and Eileen DeHart. Dana is preceded in death by her Mother, Eileen DeHart, and her Grandmother, Florence Ward. Dana is survived by her husband of 28 years, Michael Rodriguez; her beloved children, Paul (Kaitlyn), Michaela (Ian), Jocelynn, Braden, Juliana, Brianne, and Caleb; and her cherished grandchildren, Raina and Russell. She is also survived by her father, Paul DeHart; sisters Marsha (Luis) Aranda and Sharon (Daryl) Lofton; in-laws Louis and Eileen Rodriguez, Joseph and Elizabeth Rodriguez, Elizabeth Rodriguez, Katherine Rodriguez; and many adored nieces and nephews.

Dana graduated from Largo High School in 1990 and began her career as a cosmetologist. She married her husband, Michael, on April 19, 1997, and after welcoming their second child 2 years later, Dana made the decision to step away from her career and devoted herself to raising her growing family. Dana embraced this role with grace, humor, and unconditional love … and her ever present and contagious smile!

Family was always Dana’s greatest joy. She created a home filled with laughter, warmth, and the smell of her favorite home-cooked meals. Dana was not only a mother to her 7 children, she was “Momma Rod” to countless others. Dana shared her passion for cooking, 80’s movies, and music with her children and friends. Whether hosting movie nights featuring her beloved 80’s films or opening her kitchen to her children’s friends, Dana made everyone feel welcomed and loved.

Dana never lost her passion for cosmetology, even after leaving it behind to raise for her family, she continued to cut and style her family’s hair when she found the chance. Dana loved animals (especially Jack Russels!) and her love for animals is something anyone could have seen from her caring for ducks, chinchillas, and chickens to caring for dogs and stray cats that found their way to her.

Dana enjoyed watching sports, especially watching her family play softball, soccer, baseball, lacrosse, and basketball; and enjoyed watching Women’s soccer and volleyball matches.

Dana’s biggest passion of all was family. In her last days, she was asked three times what meant the most to her, every time her answer was “My family”.

Dana was a mother and a fighter. Dana was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer in 2019. Dana battled her cancer for 6 courageous years and, despite the many setbacks, challenges and recurrences, she took on each one with strength, grace, faith, and dignity. Dana always had her beautiful, welcoming smile that radiated comfort to others and stories to share with everyone she met.

Dana will always be remembered by her warm and welcoming spirit, her genuine smile, love of animals, love for babies, and most importantly her deep love for her family. We couldn’t have asked for a better wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, and nana. We will miss Dana every day and her memory will live on in our hearts - and in the hearts of everyone who met her - forever.