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ELLEN DRAGOTTO Obituary
ELLEN MARIE DRAGOTTO 12/03/1960 ~ 11/24/2016
Ellen Maria Dragotto of Washington, DC, slipped away peacefully on Thanksgiving Day. She was the loving daughter of the late Nicholas and Eleanor Dragotto.Born in Scranton, Pennsylvania on December 3, 1960. She was a graduate of Scranton Preparatory School, the University of Scranton and George Washington University. She started her career in international development with the U.S. Environmental Training Institute in Washington, DC in 1994. In 2001, she joined the U.S. Agency for International Development. She dedicated her life to help improving the lives of the less fortunate. Survived by one sister, Ann Marie Weer, Goldsboro, Maryland and three brothers, Francis Dragotto, Princeton, West Virginia, Edward Dragotto, Peckville, Pennsylvania and James Dragotto, Archbald, Pennsylvania, seven nieces, two great-nephews and three god children.She was preceded in death by her nephew and godson, Anthony Dragotto.Family and friends are invited to call on Friday December 2, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Joseph Gawler's Sons Funeral Home, 5130 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC. A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday December 3, at 1 p.m. at The Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament, 3630 Quesada St NW, Washington, DC. Family and friends are asked to go directly to the church: there will be no procession from the funeral home.On Saturday December 10, a Memorial mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Christ the King Parish, 429 Church St., Archbald, PA. Family will receive friends in the back of the church one hour prior to the mass. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the America Cancer Society.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for ELLEN DRAGOTTO
Gail Coleman
December 8, 2016
I got to know Ellen only recently, through a yoga class for women cancer survivors. I liked her immediately and will miss her warmth, strength, and positive energy. The world is a better place because she was in it.
December 8, 2016
She was a wonderful, talented woman. We will miss you!
Debbie
Weatherly
December 6, 2016
Dearest Ellen rest in peace. You fought valiantly and graciously. you will be sorely missed by all who loved you and worked with you at USAID E3. Thank you for all your devotion to the world's poorest of the poor. Alexi Panehal
Chris Godlove
December 5, 2016
Thank you Ellen for all that you gave us. Your curiosity and kindness were contagious and will always be remembered. I will miss you my friend.
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Todd O'Malley
December 3, 2016
I knew Ellen casually in high school. I remember her as a friend and for her smile ... very uniquely warm ... wonderful to read these testaments. What a beautiful life she lived.
Jim Nixon
December 3, 2016
Very sorry Ed and Jim. You and all you love are always in my prayers.
December 3, 2016
Rest in peace Ellen
Ann Washington
December 3, 2016
Ellen was a good friend and a USETI colleague. I will miss her, she is resting now. Rest my friend, rest in peace.
Ireland 2016
Duane Muller
December 2, 2016
Rest in peace my good friend, Ellen. I will miss your smile and I will miss our chats across the miles- but I know you are now in a more peaceful place. Thankful that I can attend your celebration of life in person. Sending my deepest condolences to your family.
Ireland 2016- we shared tips and itineraries. She would have loved this hike.
Duane Muller
December 2, 2016
Matthew Mendis
December 2, 2016
Ellen was a friend and a development colleague who was a role model for many of us when it came to personal friendship and professional selfless dedication. I have know Ellen for 15 years and have great admiration for her compassion, integrity and honesty. She worked tirelessly for what she believed in - making the world a safer and better place for all and especially the underprivileged. Throughout her battle with cancer she was a beacon of strength for others who were also dealing with cancer personally or within their families. She always had time for those who needed to be consoled. For all you have done for others, may you find peace and comfort in knowing you are loved and missed. Rest in peace and in the grace of God my dear friend, Ellen.
Masood Malik
November 30, 2016
She was a warm, caring, brave and inspiring person, in addition to being a consummate professional. We all were and continue to be enriched by her presence among us.
November 30, 2016
Ellen is an inspiration for all. She will be greatly missed. Kathleen
rich and ellen
November 30, 2016
Jimmy and family we are so sorry to hear of Ellen passing she can now rest in peace call if you need anything
One of my favorite pics of Ellen in Botswana
Francine Steininger
November 30, 2016
Ellen's spirit will always be with us - she was a warm, loving dynamo on a mission to make this world a better place, and I believe she succeeded! We will miss her sharp sense of humour, her loyal friendship, the passionate discussions about her work and of course her smile and her good company! May she rest in peace and in comfort with her mom, dad and godson above.
Dana Kenney
November 30, 2016
Let's light this candle in memory of the light that shone from Ellen as a beacon of love to all who knew her. With heartfelt condolences to her family. Don and Dana Kenney
Ellie & Jim Scott
November 30, 2016
Ellen was an inspiration to all! Our deepest sympathies to her family and friends. God Bless.
Alice Aguehounde
November 29, 2016
So glad I met you with that smile that was so inspiring.
Kathy
November 29, 2016
Deepest sympathies to the Dragotto family. Ellen will forever be in our hearts
A W
November 29, 2016
sorry for your loss may the God of all comfort be with you doing your time of sorrow your your neighbor AWA
Ehi Obaseki
November 29, 2016
Ellen, you have left an inspirational legacy etched in our hearts. Good night, Sweet Ellen. Let the Angels take thee to thy rest. My condolences to the Dragotto family.
Imeh Okon
November 29, 2016
Ellen you are a special person, created by God to show Love, be Love, and feel Loved. You have touched so many lives here on earth and I feel confidence that your live after now will be sufficiently rewarded by God. Rest on Ellen.
Brian Ashe
November 28, 2016
Rest in peace. Loyal friend for more than 30 years. Tremendous inspiration for living fully on one's own terms. You will always be remembered.
Patrice Lee
November 28, 2016
Rest peacefully Ellen. It was an absolute pleasure working with you at USAID for the past five years. My thoughts and prayers to the Dragotto family.
Lawrence Green
November 28, 2016
On behalf of the front desk staff at the GW Medical Faculty Associates, we would like to extend our deepest condolences. It was a pleasure seeing Ms. Dragotto during her visits. She will be missed.
Cindy Rigatti
November 28, 2016
Ellen was such a warm and loving person. An example to all who came in contact with her. She made our lives better because she was Ellen. We will miss her dearly.
William Barnes
November 28, 2016
Our lives were better by knowing Ellen and she brightened the life of our grandson.
Katherine Pecka Maulden
November 28, 2016
I met Ellen when she paddled with the breast cancer survivor team GoPink!DC. Her special spirit was evident from the very first moment we met, and her life will continue to be an inspiration for me and countless others. Heartfelt condolences to her family.
Sunset at Georgetown Harbor.
Kathryn Stratos
November 28, 2016
Dear Dragotto Family,
Ellen's work family joins you in grieving your loss. We will miss her good humor and advice and carry her example of friendship and camaraderie in our hearts.
Nancy Pitrone
November 28, 2016
Rest in peace dear Ellen. It was a pleasure to work with you and I am honored to have been your friend. My condolences to the Dragotto family.
Joanna Schlesinger
November 28, 2016
Ellen was a wonderful person and will always be remembered for her kindness. Lots of love today and always
November 28, 2016
Our friend will be in our hearts forever. Rest in Peace.
Prayers of peace and comfort to the Dragotto family.
Sandy & Jeff welch
Joan Phillips
November 28, 2016
Rest In Peace Ellen.
Maggie Lund
November 28, 2016
Ellen was a special person. She kept family and family friends top of mind and was always grateful for all of them. She made a difference with her life. She is with her mom and dad now and at peace. May we follow her life's example and live in love and peace. Sympathy and love to Jimmy, Eddie, their family and friends.
Ashley King
November 28, 2016
My thoughts are with all of Ellen's friends and family. She was a wonderful colleague, and I have many warm memories of geeking out about energy with her. I learned so much from her, and will remember her fondly. Rest in peace, Ellen.
muhammad shammas
November 28, 2016
Our prayers and condolences to the Dragotto family
Ellen always made rainbows after the rain!
Dana Kenney
November 27, 2016
Ellen has always been an inspiration, of love for the human family. She has lived a wonderful life. We will all miss her but she will live on in our hearts.
Ann Marie Yeastishock
November 27, 2016
Rest peacefully Ellen. You will always be rememebered in our hearts as a kind and gentle soul and friend. My life I know is richer for having met you.
Claire Bronson
November 27, 2016
Will remember my friend Ellen with kindness that I give and receive.
nadia villanueva
November 27, 2016
As heaven gains yet another angel, we here console those left behind with prayers. My prayers and condolences goes to all of her family... RIP Ellen your legacy will forever stay alive ♡
Tony Iyoob
November 27, 2016
Our prayers and condolences to the Dragotto family
November 26, 2016
May God's loving kindness comfort you and help you through this sad time Psalms 29:11
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