Obituary for Barbara Dragich
A life well lived, a life well loved
Loving Mother, Grandmother, Sister, Daughter, and Aunt. It is with heavy hearts that on April 29, 2023, in her 80th year, we announce that our dear Mom, Barbara Margaret has joined her parents, her brother, and dear sister-in-law in our Lord’s Heavenly Kingdom. May her pain be no more. May she bask in the eternal sunshine of our Lord’s grace. Barbara lived a full life, made most complete when she was with dear family and friends. Mom immigrated to Canada from Berlin, Germany with her parents and brother in 1952, travelling to Leduc AB, before settling in Windsor—which has always been home. Travels were often made to Parry Sound, Muskoka, Guelph, Wasaga Beach, Nokomis FL, Hilton Head SC, and the north shore of Lake Erie in Kingsville. A memorable trip to the British Virgin Islands was often recalled in stories—“Pina Polladas” for all! Mom loved children, and besides being a mother, auntie, and grandma, Mom shaped young minds as a mostly-occasional primary school teacher with the Greater Essex County District School Board from 1963-2010. Kindergarten was her passion, and she always had the best classroom bulletin boards—she prided herself by changing them with every season and holiday.
Mom’s faith was devout. She was a founding member of Gethsemane Lutheran Church, in South Windsor.
Mom loved being involved in her family’s many exploits, and was the consummate cheerleader. Mom cheered from the sidelines at many a baseball, football, basketball, and soccer game; swim meets, track meets, gymnastics competitions, and many a dance recital, band performance, or school play. Mom also had her eye on her often hard-luck Tigers, Lions, Pistons, and Red Wings.
Mom loved musicals—she attended all she could and absorbed the music with rapture. We know that heaven is now full of show tunes…on repeat. Mom was predeceased by her parents, Hans J. and Gerda Mueller, and her brother and sister-in-law, J.W. (Dick) and Carol Mueller. She leaves behind her loved ones, and those who loved her dearly: son Jeffrey, son Mark (Lisa), and daughter Jill Lalonde (Paul); her brother Michael Mueller (Carol); her adored grandchildren, Hayley, Alexandra, Jane, Harley, Ava, and Tyler; and many loved nieces, nephews, and grandnieces and grandnephews. Her current grand-puppy, Poppy, will miss curling up at Grandma’s feet, but knows that Grandma will be now be able to take long walks with Brutus, Quincy, Kasay, Maddie, Ernie, Basil, and Olive—Mom loved her Jack Russells. Mom will miss her monthly brunch dates with lifelong friends, weekly card games with “the ladies”, and tending to her flowers while visiting with the wonderful neighbours on Bradbury Crt. Mom’s was a brief and courageous fight, and was able to live life well until her final days. As a family, we would like to thank the wonderful palliative care team in Windsor of Dr. Cargill, Fred and the other Hospice nurses, social workers and PSWs that cared for Mom these past few months. Lots of love and thanks to Dr. Burgess, and the nurses and team members of the Erie Shores Hospice in Leamington for making Mom’s last days most comfortable. Thanks also to Drs. Scarfone, Mazzetti, and Nasser. You are all angels. If you so desire, donations to Gethsemane Lutheran Church, Erie Shores Hospice or Windsor Cancer Centre Foundation would be appreciated by the family. Cremation has taken place. Memorial Visitation Thursday, May 4, 2023 from 3:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. at Families First, South Windsor, 3260 Dougall Ave. (519-969-5841). On Friday, May 5, 2023, friends are invited to join the family for a Memorial Service to celebrate Barbara’s life at 11:00 a.m. at Gethsemane Lutheran Church, 1921 Cabana Rd. West. A private family interment will follow. Share memories, photos or make a donation at www.familiesfirst.ca
"No one has loved you like your mom and no one ever will. Her love is the purest of all." -Unknown
Loving Mother, Grandmother, Sister, Daughter, and Aunt. It is with heavy hearts that on April 29, 2023, in her 80th year, we announce that our dear Mom, Barbara Margaret has joined her parents, her brother, and dear sister-in-law in our Lord’s Heavenly Kingdom. May her pain be no more. May she bask in the eternal sunshine of our Lord’s grace. Barbara lived a full life, made most complete when she was with dear family and friends. Mom immigrated to Canada from Berlin, Germany with her parents and brother in 1952, travelling to Leduc AB, before settling in Windsor—which has always been home. Travels were often made to Parry Sound, Muskoka, Guelph, Wasaga Beach, Nokomis FL, Hilton Head SC, and the north shore of Lake Erie in Kingsville. A memorable trip to the British Virgin Islands was often recalled in stories—“Pina Polladas” for all! Mom loved children, and besides being a mother, auntie, and grandma, Mom shaped young minds as a mostly-occasional primary school teacher with the Greater Essex County District School Board from 1963-2010. Kindergarten was her passion, and she always had the best classroom bulletin boards—she prided herself by changing them with every season and holiday.
Mom’s faith was devout. She was a founding member of Gethsemane Lutheran Church, in South Windsor.
Mom loved being involved in her family’s many exploits, and was the consummate cheerleader. Mom cheered from the sidelines at many a baseball, football, basketball, and soccer game; swim meets, track meets, gymnastics competitions, and many a dance recital, band performance, or school play. Mom also had her eye on her often hard-luck Tigers, Lions, Pistons, and Red Wings.
Mom loved musicals—she attended all she could and absorbed the music with rapture. We know that heaven is now full of show tunes…on repeat. Mom was predeceased by her parents, Hans J. and Gerda Mueller, and her brother and sister-in-law, J.W. (Dick) and Carol Mueller. She leaves behind her loved ones, and those who loved her dearly: son Jeffrey, son Mark (Lisa), and daughter Jill Lalonde (Paul); her brother Michael Mueller (Carol); her adored grandchildren, Hayley, Alexandra, Jane, Harley, Ava, and Tyler; and many loved nieces, nephews, and grandnieces and grandnephews. Her current grand-puppy, Poppy, will miss curling up at Grandma’s feet, but knows that Grandma will be now be able to take long walks with Brutus, Quincy, Kasay, Maddie, Ernie, Basil, and Olive—Mom loved her Jack Russells. Mom will miss her monthly brunch dates with lifelong friends, weekly card games with “the ladies”, and tending to her flowers while visiting with the wonderful neighbours on Bradbury Crt. Mom’s was a brief and courageous fight, and was able to live life well until her final days. As a family, we would like to thank the wonderful palliative care team in Windsor of Dr. Cargill, Fred and the other Hospice nurses, social workers and PSWs that cared for Mom these past few months. Lots of love and thanks to Dr. Burgess, and the nurses and team members of the Erie Shores Hospice in Leamington for making Mom’s last days most comfortable. Thanks also to Drs. Scarfone, Mazzetti, and Nasser. You are all angels. If you so desire, donations to Gethsemane Lutheran Church, Erie Shores Hospice or Windsor Cancer Centre Foundation would be appreciated by the family. Cremation has taken place. Memorial Visitation Thursday, May 4, 2023 from 3:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. at Families First, South Windsor, 3260 Dougall Ave. (519-969-5841). On Friday, May 5, 2023, friends are invited to join the family for a Memorial Service to celebrate Barbara’s life at 11:00 a.m. at Gethsemane Lutheran Church, 1921 Cabana Rd. West. A private family interment will follow. Share memories, photos or make a donation at www.familiesfirst.ca
"No one has loved you like your mom and no one ever will. Her love is the purest of all." -Unknown