Dana Hanczyc, 47, of Hughestown, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, July 8, 2023. She was born in Wilkes-Barre on December 10, 1975, and was the daughter of the late Francis and Pamela R. Bell Hanczyc.
Dana was a 1993 graduate of Pittston Area High School and then attended East Stroudsburg University. She enlisted into the US Army and served for seven years. She was deployed as a combat veteran in Iraq and Afghanistan where she received the Iraq Campaign Medal and Afghanistan Campaign Medal decorations. Dana’s military service was a huge point of pride for her and her family. She honorably discharged in 2006 and was then employed with defense contractor JSOC, North Carolina. Recently, Dana established her own pet care business.
Dana was a shining light, and her absence leaves her heartbroken loved ones mourning. She always sacrificed for others, and celebrated the world around her; she has left an unforgettable legacy of love, honor, and respect. Dana was a great blessing to the younger children of her extended family; at any gathering if there were dogs or kids, that’s where you would find Dana. She had a great group of girlfriends who were lifetime friends who had a special place in her heart. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her grandparents, James and Ruth Herbert Bell, and Francis and Maude Cochran Hanczyc as well as uncles Richard and Alan Hanczyc.
Dana is survived by her uncles James Bell and his wife Jill, of Pittston and Scott Bell and his wife Judy of West Wyoming; her aunt Mary Hanczyc, of Pittston; cousins, Brett and Lisa Lochner, James Bell and companion Kristy, Zachary Bell, Joleen and husband Mike Skatuler, Sawyer Gai, Ian and Cassie Bell, Scott Bell, Kyle Bell, Steven and Marcy Bell, Melissa Phillips and Alan Hanczyc and companion Kate; her beloved dog “Delilah”; and her many close friends.
A memorial service will be held on Sunday, July 16, 2023, at 5pm at Kiesinger Funeral Services, Inc., 255 McAlpine St., Duryea with Rev. Bill Brodbeck officiating. Friends may call for visitation Sunday afternoon, July 16th from 3pm until the time of service. Interment services will be held on Monday, July 31st at 11:00am at the Pittston Cemetery, 200 Vine St., Pittston with the AMVETS Honor Guard of Greater Pittston providing military honors.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Blue Chip Animal Refuge, 974 Lockville Rd., Dallas, PA 18612 or to the Purple Heart Foundation, P.O. Box 49, Annandale, VA 22003.