Dāna Michelle Barakat

Dāna Barakat was born on August 26, 1981 in New York to Monir and Hayat Barakat. Her childhood was spent between Scarsdale and Armonk, New York. Her experience was that of a Lebanese-American, always sharing both cultures in her life. Dāna was truly a bright light in any room. Her personality was bubbly and approachable and incredibly tenacious and persistent. She was always trying to make people comfortable and ensure a good time. She was an amazing storyteller which manifested in her ability to command the attention of an entire room and deliver effortless speeches. She would always be counted upon to assume MC duties at Christmas and fundraisers where her charisma and charm always left an impression on people. Dāna was not just a very special person; she had the rare gift of making everyone feel truly special. Her kindness, fun spirit, and genuine attentiveness to those around her created an atmosphere of warmth and comfort. Whether it was a deep conversation or chatting about the little things, Dāna had the ability to make you feel heard and understood. She always found a way to bring a smile to your face, even in the toughest of times, leaving behind a legacy of love, laughter, and unforgettable moments. Dāna was not only devoted to those she knew personally but also to her community and causes dear to her heart. She served on the Committee of St. Jude Hope and Heritage and was a proud member of the Board of Directors of SEAL USA. Through her efforts, Dāna always made an impact, striving to help others. Dāna graduated from the University of Maryland-College Park with a BA in Journalism and from Columbia University with an MA in Human Rights. She spent most of her early career in marketing production and eventually became the Vice President of Marketing and Communications at NYI. Dāna is survived by her two beautiful children Maya and Rafael whom she loved fiercely, her parents, brother Sam Barakat, husband Walid Khoury, and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends who loved her dearly. A visitation will take place Thursday, April 10, 2025, at St. John Paul II at the Immaculate Conception Maronite Church in Sleepy Hollow (199 North Broadway) from 4-8pm, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial, Friday, April 11, 2025, at 10:30am, and burial at Greenwood Union Cemetery in Rye, New York. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Dana's St.Jude Memorial fund http://fundraising.stjude.org/goto/danabarakat or to St. John Paul II at the Immaculate Conception Maronite Church in her name. https://www.johnpaul2parish.org/

Dāna Michelle Barakat

August 26, 1981 - April 6, 2025