Ann M. Drapcho

"It's always something." A line often used by Ann, her "something" came to be when she passed away on Sunday, March 18, 2018, with her family at her side.

Ann was born March 8, 1923 on the west side of Youngstown, a daughter of Vjekoslav "Louis" and Kata "Katherine" (Pacic) Vadjina, who migrated to the United States from Croatia.

Ann attended Stambaugh Grade School and graduated from Chaney High School. Growing up during the Great Depression, Some of Ann's favorite memories included walking to Mill Creek Park with her family and friends to enjoy Sunday picnics, playing at Carnegie playground, and going to the movies. She often fondly remembered sleeping on their front porch during the hot summers with no fear and playing outside until the porch lights came on at 9 p.m. At a young age, Ann joined a sewing club and learned to make rag rugs, which her mother always used in her kitchen.

Prior to her marriage, she worked at the Working Men's Overall Supply Company in downtown Youngstown as a shipping clerk. On July 14, 1951, she was married at SS. Peter and Paul Croatian Church to Ambrose Drapcho. Ann recently said, "I lived a simple, but a good life."

They began their marriage living on Shehy St. in Youngstown until they built a home in Struthers in 1960. There, they raised their four daughters and resided in Struthers for 55 years. In 1960, Ann and her husband joined St. Matthias Church and became active members. Although Ann was a gentle, reserved, and quiet woman, she had an incredible inner strength and was her family's true rock.

For 63 years, they enjoyed a marriage full of love, dancing, movies, music, and traveling the states. For their 25th anniversary they traveled to Hawaii, a Caribbean Cruise on their 40th anniversary, and celebrated their 50th anniversary surrounded by family and friends at Smaldino's Restaurant.

Over the years, Ann walked annually through her neighborhood raising money for the American Heart Association and American Cancer Society. Ann enjoyed reading, talk show programs, and crossword puzzles. She loved keeping up on pop culture, world events, and staying current with fashion. Always wanting to look her best, even up till her last days, Ann was a true sense of a fashionista and loved shopping for clothes and her "bling."

Her husband, Ambrose, preceded her in death on December 7, 2014. Ann is survived by her four daughters, Patricia (Allan) Banner of Liberty, Carole Krispinsky of Boardman, Diane Drapcho of Canfield, and Ann Marie (Matt) Stroney of Ellsworth Township; six grandchildren, Valerie (Shawn) Banner of Hoboken, NJ, Lindsay (Josh) Parker of Lima, Amy Banner of Oregon, IL, Jeffrey Banner of Long Island City, NY, Thomas "TJ" Krispinsky of Arlington, VA, and Kara (Zac) Middleton of Columbus; and three great-grandchildren, Asher, Ellisyn, and Rebecca.

In addition to her husband and parents, Ann was preceded in death by her granddaughter, Brittany Ann Carroll; and siblings, Carole LaCivita, Mary Komara, John Vadjina, Louise Flynn, Steve Vadjina, and Kay Popa.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday at 10 a.m. at St. Matthias Church, 915 Cornell St., Youngstown, with Fr. John Jerek officiating. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery.

Family and friends will be received on Friday from 5-7 p.m. at the Cunningham-Becker Funeral Home, 270 N. Main St., Poland, and Saturday from 9:15-9:45 a.m. at the church.

Ann requested that memorial tributes take the form of contributions to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 15120, Chicago, IL 60693 or the National Kidney Foundation, Finance Department, 30 East 33rd St., New York, NY 10016.

Please visit www.beckerobits.com to send condolences.