‘Spiritual warrior’ advocated for others while fighting disease

“She wanted to be able to speak up for those who couldn’t. She led the way for many.”

Dana Marshall-bernstein’s family called her their superhero.

During a nearly lifelong battle with Crohn’s disease, Marshall-bernstein worked courageously to raise awareness about the disease and her fight against it, including appearing in a documentary film titled “Semicolon; the Adventures of an Ostomy Girl.” On Sunday, she succumbed to the disease at 28.

“Dana is and always will be a spiritual warrior,” said her mother, Cari Marshall. “She always had such perseverance, strength and courage. She lived that way not only for herself, but for many. She was the voice for many with her illness.”

Despite the intimate nature of Crohn’s disease, Marshall-bernstein didn’t shy from telling her story, including making various media appearances, in hopes of bettering the lives of others living with the illness.

“She wanted to be able to speak up for those who couldn’t,” Marshall said. “She Cari Marshall, in remembrance of her daughter, Dana Marshall-bernstein. Marshall-bernstein died Sunday at 28 after battling Crohn’s disease for much of her life.

led the way for many.”

With her infectious and extroverted personality, Marshall-bernstein touched the lives of those who met her, Marshall said. She was recalled as funny, sharp, intelligent and loved by many, which her father, Ed Bernstein, said was reflected in her large group of friends. She also projected her fun personality with a huge collection of hats — a different one for practically every occasion.

“She would always show up in a cool hat,” Marshall said. “She was known for her hats.”

When Marshall-bernstein wasn’t advocating for those with Crohn’s disease, she liked to snow ski, play the piano, sing, create art and, most of all, drive.

“She loved any vehicle,” Bernstein said. “A car, a golf cart or whatever, she loved vehicles.”

Her favorite places included beaches, especially Coronado Beach in California, and the Del Mar racetrack, to bet on horse races with her dad.

An avid animal lover, on her way to a holiday breakfast at Green Valley Ranch one year, Marshall-bernstein stopped on a busy road to save a turtle making its way across the street.

“It’s in the middle of the road, so she runs out and stops traffic to pick up this turtle,” Marshall said. “She came in and she was telling Danny and Robin Green-