Dana DeGoede passed away at the age of 63 on January 31, 2026, surrounded by family at Good Samaritan Hospital in Puyallup, Washington.

Born Dana Lea Carter on January 2, 1963, she was the first baby born that year in the town of Walla Walla. Her family was showered with gifts and a feature in the local paper as the community celebrated her arrival.

She spent her childhood moving throughout Washington before eventually settling in Bonney Lake, where she graduated from White River High School in 1981.

In 1986, Dana was introduced to Phil DeGoede at the Beach Tavern in Sumner, Washington, by his brother, Paul. Later that night, she went home and called her sister Pam to tell her she had met the man she was going to marry. They were married in 1989 and together raised three children: Matthew, Gabrielle, and Elizabeth.

In 1995, Dana was diagnosed with cancer shortly before the birth of her third child. After delivery, she began treatment. Over the years, her strength was tested as she faced and overcame multiple illnesses. Although her journey included many physical challenges, she never allowed them to diminish her passion, her spirit, or her hope. Dana was not known as someone who was sick; she was known as someone you could count on: someone strong, dependable, and deeply caring.

Throughout her life, Dana excelled at nearly anything she set her mind to. Whether it was singing, woodworking, sewing, cooking, painting, sculpting, or gardening, Dana loved a project. Those who knew her understood that once she committed to something, it would not only be completed but done with care, patience, and beauty.

Dana is survived by her loving husband, Phil; her son, Matthew; and her daughters, Gabrielle and Elizabeth. She is also survived by her siblings, Tony, Pam, and Richard. She was preceded in death by her parents, Milda Dove and Richard Ochompaugh.

Friends, family, and members of her community will remember Dana for her spunk, tenacity, sentimentality, and creativity—but most of all for her ability to make everyone feel at home, no matter where they were.

A celebration of life will be held for Dana at Kelley Farm on February 21 from 2:00-6:00pm.