Dana Reeve

Reeve in 2005, photo by Prphotos

Birth Name: Dana Charles Morosini

Date of Birth: March 17, 1961

Place of Birth: Teaneack, New Jersey, U.S.

Date of Death: March 6, 2006

Place of Death: New York City, New York, U.S.

Ethnicity:
*50% Irish
*25% Italian
*25% Polish

Dana Reeve was an American actress, singer, and activist, for disability causes.

She was the daughter of Helen C. (Simpson) and Charles Joseph “Chuck” Morosini. She was married to actor Christopher Reeve, until his death. Dana and her husband co-founded the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, seeking treatments for paralysis and better health coverage for people with disabilities. The couple had a son. Dana’s nephew, sister’s son, is actor James Morosini.

Dana’s paternal grandfather was Charles Joseph Morosini, Sr. (the son of Costantino “Constant/Constantine” Morosini and Theresa Boncompagna). Charles was born in Pennsylvania, to parents from Dorno, province of Pavia, Lombardia, Italy.

Dana’s paternal grandmother was named Pearl Pauline Zagorski/Zagorskis/Zygorsky (the daughter of Jan “John” Zagórski/Zagorskis and Łucja “Lucy”). Pearl was born in New Jersey, to Polish parents.

Dana’s maternal grandfather was William J. Simpson (the son of John Simpson and Sarah McManus). William was born in Fermanagh, Northern Ireland.

Dana’s maternal grandmother was Mary Donnelly/Donelly (the daughter of John Donnelly and Ellen Gormley). Mary was Irish.

Sources: Dana’s father on the 1940 U.S. Census –

Obituary of Dana’s father –

Dana’s paternal grandfather, Charles Joseph Morosini, on the 1910 U.S. Census –

Birth record of Dana’s paternal great-grandfather, Costantino “Constant/Constantine” Morosini –

Dana’s paternal grandmother, Pearl Pauline Zagorski/Zagorskis/Zygorsky, on the 1920 U.S. Census –

Genealogy of Dana Reeve (focusing on her mother’s side) –

Dana’s mother on the 1940 U.S. Census –

Obituaries of Dana’s mother –

Marriage record of Dana’s maternal grandparents, William J. Simpson and Mary Donnelly –

Dana’s maternal grandfather, William J. Simpson, on the 1901 Irish Census –