Bertha Mary Drabik

Bertha Mary (Bogumila Kmiec) Drabik November 23, 1920 - December 14, 2013 East Lyme - Bertha Mary (Bogumila Kmiec) Drabik, of Drabik Road, East Lyme, died Saturday, December 14, 2013, at her home. She was born November 23, 1920 in Ipswich, MA, the daughter of Louis T. (Ludwig) and Sofia Boduch Kmiec. She was predeceased by sisters, Evarista Soroka, Monica Wentworth, and brothers Joseph, Fabian, Ansel Kmiec. She graduated from Ipswich High School with a specialty in Domestic Science then trained and worked as a seamstress at the Leather Tailor, a local shop for custom design clothing. During World War II, she was employed as parts inspector at Sylvania Electric in Ipswich, and volunteered with the local Red Cross. On November 25, 1945, she married Ferdinand L. Drabik, who predeceased her in 2007. They lived first in Salem, and in 1952 moved to the house they built on Drabik Road in East Lyme. Bertha was devoted to her beloved Fred and their children. She was a consummate homemaker adapting resourcefully and quickly to her early married rural life managing a household with everything from baby chicks to keep warm in the kitchen, to sudden bushel-basket loads of vegetables for canning and freezing, to of hundreds of pounds of honey to process, to baking wonderful pies and cakes. She supported her children's membership in 4-H clubs as a club leader and a judge at fairs. Bertha volunteered her time and talents to St. Bernard High school for many years as Home Arts Assistant, as well as seamstress for countless dramatic productions. She also maintained a small client base for which she fashioned custom dresses and gowns. She was an active member of the St. Matthias women's organization from its early days as "The Town and Country Catholic Ladies' Social Club", eventually serving as its president. Bertha and Fred supported with great pride the construction of the new church building at its present location on Rt. 161 in East Lyme. She was a member and officer of the Norwich Diocesan Council of Catholic Women. Bertha was sustained by her Faith, and at her death was one of the oldest members of St. Matthias Church. After her children were grown, Bertha resumed an active involvement volunteering with the Red Cross, organizing numerous Blood Mobiles at area school and industry locations, and with Catholic Charities as well. She continued sewing professionally as dressmaker and as custom seat and pillow cover designer for The Island Trader in Westbrook. She and Fred were active members of the Connecticut Farm Bureau. They also enjoyed traveling to annual reunions in Texas and Oklahoma with his fellow veterans of the 45th Artillery Division during which Bertha participated in Ladies' Auxiliary activities. As her health declined in her later years, Bertha busied herself knitting scarves. She made hundreds which now warm the needy in Waterbury, Meriden, and locally. She is survived by her five children and their spouses: Geraldine Drabik Kuenkler and A. Stephen Kuenkler of Waterford, Anzelma and Dr. Thomas J. Thibault of East Lyme; Bernadine and Thomas P. Smith of Wilmington, NC; Ferdinand and Lisa (Bianco) Drabik of Waterford, and Caroline Drabik and Frederick P. White of Malverne, NY. She leaves eight grandchildren: Daniel and wife, Katie Thibault, Michael, Valerie, and Gregory and wife Jennifer Thibault, Brian and Steven Medeiros, and Fallon and Evan Drabik; four great-grandchildren: Elizabeth and James Thibault, and Emma and Gina Thibault; her sister Zita Wile of Ipswich, and many cousins, nieces and nephews in the U.S. as well as Poland. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday December 19, 2013 at 11 O'clock at St. Matthias Church, 317 Chesterfield Rd. East Lyme. Interment will follow in St. Mary Cemetery, New London. The family will receive relatives and friends on Wednesday December 18, 2013 from 4 to 7 P.M. at the St. Matthias Church. Memorial contributions may be directed to St. Matthias Church 317 Chesterfield Rd. East Lyme, CT 06333. wwwneilanfuneral home.com