Virginia Dragga

Virginia Dragga (nee Odbert), age 96, passed away on Sunday, November 29, 2015. Beloved wife of the late Charles Dragga; loving mother of Charles Jr. (Michele), Jack (Gail) and William (Amy); dear grandmother of Christopher Dragga (Katherine Hill), and Victoria Dragga; preceded in death by her brothers and their spouses Henry S. Odbert III (Gwen), and John T. Odbert (Mary); beloved Aunt of many.

Virginia was born on September 19, 1919 to Henry S. Odbert II and his wife Lucy (Turner) in Lakewood, OH. She graduated from Lakewood High School, and received a Bachelor of Science degree in 1943 from Simmons College, Boston, Massachusetts.

Virginia worked as a dietician at a variety of establishments and in 1949 started work at the Juvenile Detention Center in Cleveland, OH where she met the love of her life, Charlie Dragga, who was working there as a Phys. Ed. instructor. They were married in 1951 and the following year welcomed their first son, Charles Jr. (Chuck). Thirteen months later they welcomed twin boys John (Jack) and William (Bill).

Retiring from the work force to raise her family, Virginia became active in many organizations. She served in many positions as part of The Mothers of Twins Club of Cleveland including a term as President. Other clubs included The Amis and the Kiwanianns. With the latter she helped organize and run “Safety Town” in Mayfield Heights. Other interests included a neighborhood bridge club and being a Den Mother.

As her boys approached college age, she returned to the work force as a kindergarten assistant and later as a dietician at University Hospitals. After leaving University Hospitals, she enjoyed hiking in the Metro Parks with the “Wednesday Walkers” and even took up cross-country skiing. For many years she volunteered at Hillcrest Hospital. She was always sewing outfits for herself but also tried her hand at quilting.

Soon after the passing of Charlie in 1988, she moved to Laurel Lake Retirement Community. She really blossomed here and served a couple terms as President of the Residents Organization. Her love of travel was rekindled and she traveled to Europe and Alaska.

Virginia will always be remembered as a loving and generous mother, sister, aunt, and grandmother and will be greatly missed. We will mostly miss her sense of humor. We love her immensely.

The family prefers in lieu of flowers that you make contributions in her name to Engineers Without Borders -Miami Ohio Student Chapter – donation link: http://www.ewb-miamioh.org/donate/

Cremation by DeJohn Crematory. Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:30 am on Saturday, December 12, 2015 at THE DeJOHN-FLYNN-MYLOTT FUNERAL HOME OF SOUTH EUCLID, 4600 MAYFIELD RD. (just east of Green Rd.). Family will receive friends to pay tribute to and celebrate the life of Virginia at the FUNERAL HOME on SATURDAY 9-11:30 AM. Inurnment will take place at Lake View Cemetery at 1:30 PM.