Obituary of Helen Drago

Peacefully, with her children at her side, at the Columbia Forest Long Term Care Residence on Wednesday October 10th, 2018.  Helen lived a 94-year faith-filled life and is now in the loving embrace of her husband Louis, her parents John and Anne Sehl, her brother Edward and his wife Betty.  She will be fondly missed and lovingly remembered by her six children Anne Hind (George), Rick, Cathy Weiss, Jim (Sheree), Louis (Joanne), David (Mary Jo).  Helen was the loving Nana and great-grandmother to Jon Hind (Erica, Colbey and Kristian), Becky Kieswetter (Kory, Sam, Molly and Ben), Nathan Drago (Amanda, Lucas, Cameron and Avery), Sarah Weiss, Allison Drago, Amy and Brook McArthur, Jimmy Drago (Laura, Khailee and James), Michael Drago (Lesley, Max and Millie), Matthew Drago, and David and Kelsey Drago. Helen will be lovingly remembered by her brother Dr. John Sehl and our aunt Mary, and eleven nieces and nephews in the Sehl family, as well as, her nephews Martin and John Levesque.

Helen was a proud native and life-long resident of Waterloo.  She was born and raised on Union St. and earned a Bachelor's degree in Library Science from the original Waterloo College, now WLU. Helen used her degree to secure a position at the Main St. branch of the Niagara Falls Public Library where she met her husband Lou. Together they raised our family in a modest red brick home on Dietz Ave (too far away from Union St. for her father's liking!) and became founding members of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church and its neighbouring elementary school.

Helen's life is celebrated by deeply-rooted faith and service to her church and greater community. She led an active life as member and president of the Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Women's League; the Our Lady of Lourdes St. Vincent de Paul Society, and the Our Lady of Lourdes Refugee Committee.

Helen used her library skills not only to borrow numerous books per week from the Waterloo Public Library (she was, to say the least, a voracious reader), but to serve terms as Chair of the Waterloo Public Library Board.

After raising her family, Helen was invited to pursue involvement in the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises.  She became a Spiritual Director and was part of the formative team of the Canadian Congress of Christian Life Communities. Many religious and laity, alike, have benefitted from her spiritual direction.

While our mother's life has passed, her memories live on in family gatherings at our homes, trips to the slots, Sunday afternoon drives, baseball games on the television, Hagan Daas ice cream, innate fears of thunderstorms, fun with fireworks, cottage adventures, french fries from McDonald’s, and remarkably long talks on the phone.

Mom's passing has eased our fears of death. Our mother's in heaven and we long to have her hug us again.

We would like to express sincere thanks to the many Personal Service Workers from the community and Columbia Forest for their dedicated care for Helen.

Friends and family are invited to share their memories of Helen during visitation at the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King St. S., Waterloo, on Monday, October 15, 2018, from 6 - 8 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, 173 Lourdes St., Waterloo, on Tuesday, October 16, 2018 at 12:00 p.m. Burial to follow the Mass at Parkview Cemetery. Reception to follow the burial at the funeral home.

Condolences for the family and donations to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul may be arranged through the funeral home at www.erbgood.com or 519-745-8445.