Dena M. McFadden, M.D. passed from this life on January 27, at home, following a long illness. She was 70.

Dena was inquisitive, brilliant and brave. A fierce commitment to the hard work that leads to positive change was the hallmark of both her personal and professional life.

A native of Detroit, Dena had facility for language, science and the arts. For her original patriotic poem, written at age 13, Dena won a trip to Alaska to celebrate its becoming a state.  As a high school student, Dena was recognized for her volunteer work in Detroit's Jewish community and was awarded a trip to Israel.  While in college, her social commitment and anti-war activism led Dena to become a leader of Students for a Democratic Society (SDS).  Her role in SDS took her to Chicago where she worked as a community organizer in impoverished neighborhoods.

Dena completed medical school at the University of Michigan and moved to Boston for a residency and fellowship in pediatrics at Boston Children's Hospital. She joined the staff of the Harvard Community Health Plan (Harvard Pilgrim Health Plan) as a pediatrician and served a multi-cultural population that benefitted from her ability to speak fluent Spanish.  Dena was promoted to associate medical director at Harvard Pilgrim, and concluded her career as a senior vice president and medical director at Health Dialog.

An avid hiker and skier, Dena enjoyed the outdoors and loved nothing better than to take long bike rides with David, her husband of nearly 40 years. The couple raised two sons, Daniel and Robert.  Dena was especially proud that both are veterans of the Armed Services.

Dena was the daughter of the late Stanley and Selma Clamage. She is survived by her beloved husband, David McFadden; her sons Robert and Daniel; daughter-in-law Krista; grandsons Ben and Mitch McFadden along with devoted sisters, brother-in-law, nephews and nieces.

The family will honor Dena's memory at a private service. Contributions, in lieu of flowers, are welcomed for Rosie's Place, the first woman's shelter established in the United States to aid battered women.