Helen Drakeford

Helen Drakford (née Harrigan), age 80, of Spring Valley, NY, passed away on December 3, 2025, at Montefiore Hospital in Nyack, NY, after a long illness.

Born in the US Virgin Islands, Helen later was raised in the Bronx, NY where she married and had two sons. She went on to settle in Yorktown Heights, NY where she lovingly raised her family. She was a laboratory technician, who finished her career with over 3 decades of service at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx, NY. Helen was known as a true social butterfly, and traveled extensively around the world - visiting more countries than most see in a lifetime. She was the family's organizer and the heart behind countless large gatherings, always bringing relatives together with warmth and joy. When she wasn't coordinating celebrations, she could often be found shopping, a passion that earned her the affectionate family nickname of "shopaholic."

Helen is survived by her husband, Luther; her beloved children, Craig and his wife Elaine, and Kevin and his wife Amanda; her cherished grandchildren, Ryan, Rori, Lia, and Ava; and two siblings, Joyce and Alexis Harrigan.

Family and friends are invited to visit on Saturday, December 20th, from 2:00 to 4:00 PM at the Calhoun-Mania Funeral Home, 19 Lincoln Avenue, Rutherford, NJ. Committal services were private.