Irene Drabison

AUSTINTOWN - Irene Drabison, 91, passed away late Thursday evening, April 4, 2019, at Humility House after a long and fulfilling life.

Irene was born Oct. 8, 1927, in Youngstown, and was a daughter of the late John F. and Mary P. Hatala Novotny. She was a 1945 graduate of Chaney High School, attended Youngstown University, and was a lifelong area resident.

She worked as a catering secretary at the Pick Ohio Hotel from 1947 to 1951, and did secretarial work for St. John Church in Campbell in the 1970s. Most importantly, Irene devoted her life to being a homemaker and raising and caring for her family. She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Irene, with her husband, was a charter member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Austintown. She was a member of the parish’s senior citizens group and of the Rosary Society, and she was also a member of the Golden Pillars of St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church in Youngstown.

Mrs. Drabison leaves two sons, John S. (Ruth) Drabison and Thomas S. (Maureen) Drabison, both of Austintown; two daughters, Diane Clark of Austintown and Linda (Dan Clements) Moore of Cortland; a daughter-in-law, Janice Drabison of Austintown; eight grandchildren, Christine (Mike) Palmer, Lori (Joe) Stephan, Max Moore, and David (Brittany) Drabison, John (Laura) Drabison, Jenn (Rob) Mayle, Sarah Drabison, and Tommy Drabison; and seven great-grandchildren, Katie, Joey, Michael, Stephen, Alex, Kensie, and Avery.

Her beloved husband of 54 years, Stephen J. Drabison, whom she married April 14, 1951, passed away Aug. 19, 2005. Besides her husband, a son, David S. Drabison; a granddaughter, Lisa; three brothers, Rev. Robert J. Novotny, Rev. Edward D. Novotny, C.P.P.S., and James T. Novotny; and two sisters, Barbara Dean and Dorothy Novotny, are deceased.

Family and friends may call from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, April 8,  at Kinnick Funeral Home, 477 N. Meridian Road, Youngstown.

Funeral services will begin on Tuesday, April 9, at 10:15 a.m. at the funeral home and will continue at 11 a.m. with a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Austintown.

Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Youngstown, where Irene will be laid to rest next to her husband.

Irene’s family thanks the staff of Humility House, the staff of Victoria House, and the nurses with Hospice of the Valley for the kindness shown and care given to Mrs. Drabison and her family.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.