Dayna Kennedy Rich, 73, died on Saturday February 28, 2026.  She was born on November 24, 1952, in Dowagiac, Michigan.   She was preceded in death by her parents, Allan Douglas Kennedy and Helen Pegg Kennedy.

A graduate of Rogers High School, Dayna was a gifted musician who shared her talents with the school band, playing the French horn, clarinet, and cornet. Her lifelong appreciation for the arts began in her early years, rooted in the discipline and grace of ballet lessons.

She went on to attend University of Arkansas and the University of Memphis, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting.   She was a dedicated public servant working as a CPA with the Internal Revenue Service for her entire career spanning many decades. Dayna spent much of her life throughout Tennessee from Memphis to Jackson to Chattanooga, and most recently retired to Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Dayna was a woman of extraordinary grace and heart. She was a master of the "personal touch," intentionally embracing the timeless beauty of tradition. Her family and friends will forever treasure her legendary handwritten thank-you notes and her meticulously crafted, handmade Valentines and Easter baskets, which served as small, tangible masterpieces of her affection.  These gestures were a testament to her belief that life's most important moments deserved the care of ink and paper.

To know Dayna was to be truly heard.  She possessed the rare gift of listening that made every person in her presence feel like the most important person in the world.  She would immerse herself in the stories and triumphs of others, bringing encouragement, support and genuine cheer.

Dayna's love for the finer things in life was best expressed at her kitchen table, where her passion for gourmet cooking and fine wine served as the backdrop for countless joyful gatherings. Her kitchen table served as a sanctuary where problems felt smaller and joys felt amplified. Dayna lived with an intentionality that turned strangers into friends and friends into family, leaving behind an aura of kindness and warmth.

Dayna was a dog-lover who found great companionship in her pets, and an avid traveler who relished exploring the world. Yet her greatest masterpiece was her family. As a devoted wife, mother of three, and grandmother of six, she was a foundational pillar of warmth and wisdom. She didn't just witness life; she decorated it with kindness, leaving behind a beautiful legacy.  Dayna will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Dayna is survived by her husband of 37 years, Barry Wilson Rich of Tulsa, OK;  son Jason Wayne Sharp and wife Divya Srivastava and grandchildren Jordan, Sophia, and Alana of Dallas, TX;  daughter Amanda Rich Floyd and husband Charlie Floyd and grandchildren Lillian, Madeline, and Eleanor of Tulsa, OK;  and son Boyd Allan Rich of St. Louis, MO.  She is also survived by her brother David Kennedy and wife Karen Kennedy of Little Rock, AR and her nieces Ashley, Elizabeth, and Megan.  She also leaves behind her beloved and faithful canine companions, Maggie and Bella.

Dayna's Memorial Service and Reception will take place on March 28, 2026, at St. John's Episcopal Church in Tulsa, OK.