Dana Lee Guarino-Murphey

She fearlessly fought cancer, a glioblastoma brain tumor, for 14 months.

Dana is survived by her husband Mike Murphey and daughter Cecelia Marie Murphey. She is also survived by sister Joanie Robertson and husband Kevin of Chesterfield County VA; Sister/cousin Patti Lanier and husband Mario Paul of Williamsburg VA. She is survived by many loving relatives including cousin Barbara Chomycia and husband Nick of Fredrick Md; and “Aunt Doris” Lanier of Richmond VA. She is preceded in death by her parents Nancy & James Guarino. Among the many special people in Dana’s life are neighbor and longtime friends LaDonna Shedor, and Dorothy Morcom of Amherst County.

Dana was a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University with a Masters in Special Education. For the past 16 years she has taught at Hutcherson Early Learning Center in Lynchburg City Schools with the last several years as lead teacher. She was previously an adjunct professor with Lynchburg College where she was coordinator for the Virginia Dept. of Education’s Southwest/Central Technical Assistance Center (T-TAC) and helped develop the Learning Curriculum for the regions area of Early Learning centers. She worked directly with families and educators to provide the necessary tools to help with the children’s advancement.

Dana was an avid supporter of her daughters’ Girls Scouts, Blue Ridge Caballeros 4H Club, and the Bedford Hunt Pony Club - she held several different officer positons throughout the years.

Visitation will begin at 10:30 AM on January 8th 2017 at Whitten Monelison Chapel, Madison Heights, VA www.dignitymemorial.com/whitten-monelison-chapel with services to follow at same location @ 12:00 PM. A reception will be held immediately following at Amelon United Methodist Church, Madison Heights VA.

In lieu of flowers please send donations to Centra Health – Cancer Patient Support Fund @ www.Centrafoundation.com or to “Dana’s Angels Fund” to help needy children and families at Hutcherson Early Learning Center @ www.Lynchburgtrust.org. On the site one should find Dana's Angel Fund to make the donation. Trust will be set up by January 9th, 2017.

Dana’s love and compassion for all living things was felt by all who had the good fortune to know her. She will be greatly missed.

We honor and love you “Babes” -- you will forever be in our hearts.