Madge L. Drulias

1923 - 2014

Madge L. Drulias
May 23, 1923 - October 3, 2014
Resident of Santa Cruz

Madge Lola Parrish began life in Kempsey, a beautiful small town located on Australia's east coast between Sidney and Brisbane. After the death of her father from complications of injuries sustained in WWI at Gallipoli, Madge, her mother and her sister moved to Melbourne in pursuit of a better life.
At the age of 5, she entered a convent school where she stayed until age 17. To quote Madge, "I got out just in time, if I would have stayed another two days, I might have become a nun!" The year was 1940, Japan was storming across the Pacific, threatening to invade Australia. Madge volunteered for the Royal Australian Air Force and at the age of 17 received her first assignment, one that seems almost shocking today: to inspect the bodies of fallen Australian Airmen, prepare reports of their deaths and inform their families.
In 1943, Madge was stationed in Brisbane and served as secretary to General Douglas MacArthur until the end of the War. She spoke highly of MacArthur and considered him a great man. Madge met her future husband, US Army Air Force Staff Sergeant William Gus Drulias, in 1944. Impressed by her date, she mentioned her interest in Sergeant Drulias to General MacArthur. He volunteered, "We can have him checked out if you want." Madge responded, "No! I don't want you to scare him away!" Her instincts rang true; she and Bill wed in 1945 and enjoyed a 48 year marriage.
Madge sailed under the Golden Gate Bridge in 1946 on a ship of "war brides", beginning her new life in East Los Angeles where she proudly gained United States citizenship. She and Bill raised their three children and later moved to Whittier where she worked as a manager in a medical office. After the death of her husband Bill and daughter Diana in 1993, she moved to Santa Cruz to be near her younger son's family. She volunteered in the billing department at Dominican Hospital, sponsored "Grandma's Diamonds" Little League team, and established and funded the Artemis Drulias Art Endowment at Gault Elementary school to honor her late daughter and enrich the lives of children in Santa Cruz.
She enjoyed traveling to Hawaii and Australia, telling stories, reading, watching movies from Hollywood's Golden Era, listening to Tom Jones sing, and spoiling her grandsons.
Madge is survived by her sister Joyce Akers of Sale, Victoria, Australia, and other dear members of the Akers and Sprigg families from Down Under; her sons and daughters-in-law Dean and Grace Drulias and Bill Drulias and Jan Hill and her beloved grandsons, Ashton and Skipton.
Madge's family appreciates the fine care provided by the staff of Driftwood Health Care Center. Hospice of Santa Cruz supported Madge and eased her transition in a loving, personal and expert manner.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Artemis Drulias Art Endowment at Gault Elementary School would be appreciated.
A celebration of her 91 years of life will take place October 17, 2014 in the garden patio of The Crepe Place 1134 Soquel Avenue, Santa Cruz from 5 to 7 pm.