Tracy Joan Dara

Memorial to Our Angel

It is with heavy hearts that we share the heartbreaking reality of the passing of Tracy Joan Fritzman Dara.

Tracy was a devoted wife, an incredible mother, and held her most honorable title of all: grandmother, lovingly known as Mema. 

She was a daughter, a caring sister, a beautiful aunt, a kind friend, and a hardworking coworker. Most importantly, she was our family's glue, our safe place, and our home.

Tracy was born on November 12, 1961, in Rockville Centre, New York, at Mercy Hospital to her parents, Joan and Frank Fritzman. Tracy was a loving sibling to her older brother and sister, Steven and Kathy, and her younger brother, Michael.

Tracy grew up in Oceanside, New York, where she attended St. Andrew’s Episcopal School through 12th grade. She was very social, loved playing sports, adored animals, and could light up even the darkest room with her presence.

She later attended Katherine Gibbs School for secretarial studies and went on to hold a secretarial position. 

In 1977 Tracy met William Dara, and they instantly fell in love. Their admiration and love for each other became the cornerstone of their relationship. In 1983, they were married, and in 1985 they welcomed their first son, William Frank. In 1988, they welcomed their first daughter, Kristina Lynne, and in 1991, they welcomed their youngest child, Brittany Nicole, completing the Dara family.

Tracy worked as a medical assistant and she carried a hardworking mentality in everything she did. She loved helping people and was always the first to lend a hand to someone in need.

As Tracy entered the gates of Heaven, her story continued in a meaningful way. Through organ donation, she gave the gift of life to others, leaving behind a lasting impact on the lives of those she helped. It was a beautiful reminder of the caring person she was and the difference she made in the world.

Tracy’s love for her family showed in everything she did. She was full of life, so much so that her love became embedded in everyone she met. She loved her family so deeply and wholeheartedly that it radiated far beyond the walls of our home.

One of Tracy’s greatest blessings was becoming a grandmother. Her whole spirit changed in the most beautiful way when she became Mema. She loved her grandchildren with all her heart. Leanna, Teddy, and Jayden were her whole world, and they loved her just as deeply.

On behalf of Tracy’s immediate family—her devoted husband, Bill, and her children, Billy, Kristina, and Brittany—we would like to thank everyone for the love, prayers, support, and kindness shown to our family during this time of profound grief. As we navigate the heartbreaking reality of life without Tracy, your compassion and support have provided comfort and strength when we have needed it most.

Tracy taught all of us what it meant to show up—for family, for responsibilities, and for life. Even when things were hard, even when she was tired, she kept going. She did it not because anyone was watching, but because that was simply who Tracy was.There was a strength in the kind of character Tracy had that doesn’t get celebrated often enough. It was a quiet strength, a steady strength, and it is the kind of strength we have all come to value most because of her.

Tracy was the heart of our family—the one who made everything work and the person we could always count on. Her strength, love, and guidance will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

To know that Tracy is in a better place, free from pain and watching over us as a beautiful angel, is what helps carry our hearts and souls forward without her here on Earth. We find comfort knowing she has gained her beautiful wings and is now safe.

We will carry Tracy with us in everything we do moving forward. Her love, her strength, and her memory will always be a part of us. May she fly high with the angels and never leave our side. We will wait for the day when we are reunited again.

We love you, always and forever.

Our beautiful angel