Obituary for Dana Renee Morataya
Dana was born on July 22nd, 1979 at Memorial Hospital in Bakersfield California. She was the daughter of Danny Richie and Terri Caruso. Dana grew up in the city of Arvin. She attended Sierra Vista Elementary School, Haven Drive Middle school and graduated from Arvin high in 1997. Dana went on to attend Cal State University Bakersfield and graduated with her degree in Liberal Studies in 2003. Dana went on to teach sixth grade for the Edison School District. On September 18th 2010, Dana married Marco Morataya. Their love together brought the births of their two beautiful children. Aydan Antonio Morataya in 2011, and Emma Elise Morataya in 2014. In 2016, Dana attended Point Loma Nazarene University and received her Master Degree in Educational Leadership along with her Administration credential. Dana taught sixth grade for sixteen years, and all her years of service were at the Edison School District. In August of 2017, Dana was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer. Though this was sad news, Dana handled it in a way that only Dana could, with dignity, faith, and true grace.
Some say they were born to teach. That statement could not be truer when it came to Dana. She absolutely adored teaching and was a master of her craft. She ran her classroom with authority, patience, organization, but most of all love. She had the love and respect of all her colleagues and students. If anyone ever needed help or advice, they would look to Dana. Her word carried weight, and when she spoke, people listened.
If there was anything Dana loved more than teaching, it was her family. She was a wonderful mother to Aydan and Emma. Everything she did, she did for her children. Her life revolved around her children and family. She was a phenomenal wife. She loved and she loved hard. Marco was a better man and strived to be an even better man because of her. Dana enjoyed spending time with family. Whether it was attending Dodger games with her father, brother and family, or just hanging out chatting with her mother. Nothing made Dana happier than being with family. She got the biggest pleasure by just enjoying the company of her family. She was her father’s baby girl, her mother’s sis, her brother’s protector, and her husband’s best friend.
Dana was the true definition of a champion. She went head on with any challenge that presented itself to her. When she was diagnosed with breast cancer, she did not give up or give in. She put all her faith and trust in our Father God and said, “I will fight, I will win”. Philippians chapter 4 verse 13 says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”. Dana lived by that verse. Her love for Christ was carried in her heart until the day our father called her home.
Dana doesn’t leave anyone behind, but is now watching over her husband Marco, her son Aydan, daughter Emma, her father and step mother Danny and Debbie, her mother and step father Terri and Mike, her mother and father in law Jose and Blanca her brothers Justin, Sean, and Brandon, her sisters, Shanna, Jenny, Alex, and Maria and too many other family members to list. She also now watches over numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Dana touched the lives of countless people. Her smile and piercing blue eyes will never be forgotten. Her heart and love will live on through her children. Rest easy Dana. We will see you again someday. We love you today, tomorrow, and until the wheels fall off.
Services will be held Saturday July 18th 2020 at Greenlawn Southwest Memorial Park 2739 Panama Lane, Bakersfield Ca, 93313. A visitation will be held on Friday July 17th at Greenlawn Southwest Chapel (Building A) from 5pm to 8pm.
Some say they were born to teach. That statement could not be truer when it came to Dana. She absolutely adored teaching and was a master of her craft. She ran her classroom with authority, patience, organization, but most of all love. She had the love and respect of all her colleagues and students. If anyone ever needed help or advice, they would look to Dana. Her word carried weight, and when she spoke, people listened.
If there was anything Dana loved more than teaching, it was her family. She was a wonderful mother to Aydan and Emma. Everything she did, she did for her children. Her life revolved around her children and family. She was a phenomenal wife. She loved and she loved hard. Marco was a better man and strived to be an even better man because of her. Dana enjoyed spending time with family. Whether it was attending Dodger games with her father, brother and family, or just hanging out chatting with her mother. Nothing made Dana happier than being with family. She got the biggest pleasure by just enjoying the company of her family. She was her father’s baby girl, her mother’s sis, her brother’s protector, and her husband’s best friend.
Dana was the true definition of a champion. She went head on with any challenge that presented itself to her. When she was diagnosed with breast cancer, she did not give up or give in. She put all her faith and trust in our Father God and said, “I will fight, I will win”. Philippians chapter 4 verse 13 says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”. Dana lived by that verse. Her love for Christ was carried in her heart until the day our father called her home.
Dana doesn’t leave anyone behind, but is now watching over her husband Marco, her son Aydan, daughter Emma, her father and step mother Danny and Debbie, her mother and step father Terri and Mike, her mother and father in law Jose and Blanca her brothers Justin, Sean, and Brandon, her sisters, Shanna, Jenny, Alex, and Maria and too many other family members to list. She also now watches over numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Dana touched the lives of countless people. Her smile and piercing blue eyes will never be forgotten. Her heart and love will live on through her children. Rest easy Dana. We will see you again someday. We love you today, tomorrow, and until the wheels fall off.
Services will be held Saturday July 18th 2020 at Greenlawn Southwest Memorial Park 2739 Panama Lane, Bakersfield Ca, 93313. A visitation will be held on Friday July 17th at Greenlawn Southwest Chapel (Building A) from 5pm to 8pm.