Dana DiPerna Pillsbury

Dana DiPerna Pillsbury, 50, died in her home in Davidson, North Carolina on Sunday morning, July 7th, 2013. Dana had been living with a rare, aggressive form of cancer for nine years. She was with loved ones at the time of her death, as was her wish. Dana was a mother, a teacher, a writer, a spiritualist and an explorer. She explored the physical world, spending time in Big Sur, New Orleans, Rome and Venice and many points between. Less than a year before her death, Dana went on one of her most rewarding journeys traveling in the high Andes to Macchu Picchu and Peru's Sacred Valley. Dana also explored the world with her mind, heart and soul. She heard the messages of Walt Whitman as well as Pachamama and the shamans of Incan tradition; she listened to the voices of Snatam Kaur, Joni Mitchell and Eddie Vedder; but she always struck out in her own way, bushwhacking her unique path through life. As the best teachers do, Dana never stopped teaching and, more importantly, she never stopped learning. She said to everybody who knew her -- her children, her parents, her students, her friends and probably the check out people at the local Harris Teeter -- "What do you think about that?" Dana leaves behind two children, Sam and Sophie Pillsbury; their father, Ralph Pillsbury; her father, Dennis DiPerna and his wife, Kim and her children Katherine and Marissa; her sister, Amy Widmer and her niece, Lizzi Widmer, plus far too many friends to count. She is preceded in death by her mother, Leah [Culleiton] DiPerna. In lieu of flowers, Dana's wishes were that donations would be held in trust for her children. For more information, contact Jody DiPerna at alleghenyorganizing@gmail.com or Carla Bedell at carlabedell@gmail.com. A memorial service will be held at the home of Amy Widmer [20627 North Main Street, Cornelius, NC] on August 3rd, 2013 from 10:30 to 12:30. All who were touched by Dana are welcome to come and celebrate her life. Raymer-Kepner Funeral Home and Cremation Services is assisting the family. Friends may offer condolences to the family at www.raymerfh.com