Dana Brenner Brinkley passed peacefully on March 23rd from complications due to Alzheimer's Disease. She was one week shy of her 87th Birthday.

Dana Brenner was born April 1st, 1938, as the second child to Mary V. K. Brenner and Robert Asbury Brenner in Alexandria, Virginia. Dana graduated from George Washington High School and won an academic scholarship to the College of William & Mary. While in college she joined Pi Beta Phi sorority, where she made lifelong friends and developed into an accomplished Bridge player. It was at William and Mary that she met her future husband, James W. Brinkley, who hailed from Suffolk, Virginia. They were married in 1959 in Alexandria and soon moved to Miami, where Dana worked at First National Bank of Miami. Jim's military service took them to postings at Fort Benning and Fort Knox, until Jim left the Army in 1962, and they settled in Newport News, VA. Jim became the second employee at Mason & Company, while Dana devoted herself to raising their three children, Rob, Doug and Susie and was active in the Junior League of Hampton Roads. In 1969, Mason and Co.'s executive HQ moved to Washington, DC and the family moved back to Alexandria, VA for three years until the merger that created Legg Mason, bringing the family to Baltimore. Initially upset about leaving her hometown, Dana grew to love Baltimore, the people, the place and the pace. She settled in the Hampton neighborhood of Towson, where she was active in the PTA and as a Librarian at Hampton Elementary School. Dana was a dedicated volunteer and supported many non-profits.  She was co-chair of the William and Mary Foundation Annual Campaign and a longtime member of The United Way's Women United-Tocqueville Society.  In 2000, Jim and Dana lead the Central Maryland United Way Campaign, raising a record dollar amount for the organization.

Naturally kind, personable and giving, Dana had a strong network of college friends, Legg Mason friends, and neighborhood friends. But her greatest love was her family, especially her grandchildren, who were all equally devoted to their Mimi. She was the joyful, loving heart of her family.

Dana loved to bake and her carrot cakes, Jewish apple cakes and gingerbread cookies were legendary.  The consummate hostess, family gatherings were always jubilant celebrations, and her Christmas parties, Thanksgiving dinners, Easter brunches, and 4th of July cookouts were the highlight of any holiday season.  She enjoyed many summer vacations with close family friends in Virginia Beach, VA, and in later years loved Bethany Beach, Delaware and Palm Beach, Florida where she could entertain friends and family alike.

Dana is survived by her loving husband of 65 years, James Wellons Brinkley of Palm Beach Florida, a son Robert (wife Patricia Knauer Brinkley) of Hypoluxo, Florida, son Doug (wife Ellen Thompson Brinkley), a daughter Susan Brinkley, all of Towson, Maryland, and five grandchildren, Brenner, Jack, Annie, Sophie and Brinkley.  Dana is preceded in death by her beloved parents and brother, Curtis.

The family is grateful for the loving, attentive care that she received in her final days from her caregivers.  Their devotion and kindness helped tremendously to ease the suffering of a relentless disease.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 19th at 1:00pm at Church of the Good Shepherd, 1401 Carrollton Ave, Towson, MD, with a reception following. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, please make any memorial donations in her memory to The Alzheimer's association,  www.alz.org or mail to the following:

Alzheimer's Association Greater Maryland Chapter

502 Washington Avenue

Suite 300

Towson, MD  21204