Betty L. Dana

Betty Rabourn Lamm Dana

Died April 19, 2023, Age 91

Born January 26, 1932 to her parents, Mary (Toalson) and Francis Lamm in Centralia, Missouri. She attended Cottey College in Nevada, Missouri earning an associate degree and graduated from the University of Missouri with a bachelor’s degree in music education. In 1955, she married Navy Ensign John Bancroft Dana of Parkersburg, West Virginia. She taught elementary music for 22 years at various schools in Missouri, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island (Middletown and Rocky Hill School, East Greenwich). In 1975, she received her master’s degree in music education from the University of RI. After retirement, she and John sailed to various Caribbean islands on their 42’ sloop, the “Pilgrim II”, ending in Venezuela. John passed away in 1988. For 46 years, she was a founding member of Chapter C, RI of the PEO Sisterhood, an educational organization to promote women’s higher education.

Betty leaves behind 3 children, Steven and Mary Ann Dana of San Antonio, TX, John Dana and Vicki LeBlanc Dana of North Kingstown, RI, and Suzanne (Dana) and Paul Jortberg of Thornton, NH, and daughter-in-law Cyndi Dana of Lavonia, GA; 8 grandchildren, John Dana II, Samuel Dana, Sarah Dana O’Hayre, Elise and Sam Jortberg, Colin Dana, and Taryn and Liam Dana, and 1 great granddaughter, Brooklyn O’Hayre.  She was preceded in death by her son, Norman L. Dana in 2021.

Memorial Service Friday, June 2nd at 11:00am at the Hill Funeral Home, 822 Main St., East Greenwich.  Burial will be in RI Veterans Cemetery, Exeter. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made payable to P.E.O. Chapter C-RI. Please mail to:  Chapter C Treasurer, Ann Lenox, 55 Lantern Lane, North Kingstown, RI 02852. These donations will be used for various scholarship funds awarded by the sisterhood.