It is with great sadness that our family announces the passing of Dana Ann Cabral (formerly Derrek F. Aniconi) who died at Morgan Rehabilitation Health Center in Johnston, RI on May 10, 2025 after suffering a brief illness. She was 68. Born in Providence, RI, she was the loving child of Virginia (Cabral) Aniconi and Edward R. Aniconi, who preceded her in death. Dana’s loving mother just passed on August 27th. Dana was a kind, generous, and passionate person who loved unconditionally as her many pets taught her. She grew up in a happy home and kept active. Her interest in politics saw her running for Representative of our district in Providence at the young age of 18 and was also very involved in community development. Never afraid to take on a challenge, after studying at Providence College for a year, she joined the Army and served for more than thirteen years. As SFC of her platoon, she received the Merit Ourious Service Medal while in Europe. Her thirst for knowledge never let up, continuing her education and earning a B.A. of Business Administration and a M.B.A., as well. In her travels all around the world, she thrived on experiencing new places and meeting people. She traveled the entire U.S., visiting every state and living in many of them. She loved her job at the Department of Veterans Affairs and retired in 2019 after thirty years. In retirement, she explored her interests in Broadway musicals, dance, gardening with friends, and meeting new people. She was a strong advocate for the LGBTQ community. She leaves her many new friends in Rhode Island and beyond, neighbors in her apartment complex, and her precious Sasha (dog) and Candy (cat). Dana is survived by her brothers Edward (Karen) and Mark Aniconi and her sisters Lisa (Carleton) Munsill and Vera (Mark) Lawrence. She will be missed by her seven nieces and nephews Oliver, Lily, Elaina, Maxwell, Marissa, Jesse, and Christian and her many cousins, who she was hoping to gather with this summer. In true Dana fashion, her ashes will be a part of the coral reef on the Atlantic coast of Florida. She will be missed by all who knew her. The family wants to thank Olson & Parent Funeral Home for taking such good care of Dana.