Virginia Steele Drabbant, 76

FELTON - Virginia Steele Drabbant, passed away Friday, Oct, 10, 2008 surrounded by her family in Bayhealth-Kent General Hospital in Dover. She was 76. She was born Jan. 14, 1932, in Federalsburg, Md., and was the daughter of the late C. Bradley and Blanche Steele. Virginia graduated in 1950, as valedictorian of her class at Felton High School. She was employed by Coty/International Latex Corporation, Delaware State Police Headquarters as a Motor Maintenance secretary, Delaware Solid Waste Authority as Account Clerk and JP Court 7 in Harrington. She retired from the State of Delaware in 1989. Virginia enjoyed spending time with her family and grandchildren. She was an avid reader and worked on crossword puzzles daily. She enjoyed being outside and working in the garden with her plants and flowers. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother and a true friend. She also loved shopping and antiques. Virginia loved to learn and she earned her bachelor of arts degree in liberal studies/humanities in 2003 from the University of Delaware parallel program. She was very active in many groups including the Avon Club in which she was the past president from 1996-2000. Federation Day Representative and Historian from 2006-2008, the Frazier Friends, Felton Historical Society, General Federation of Womens Club, St. Joseph's Columbiettes, Knights of Columbus Auxiliary and the Blue Hen Classy Chics (Red Hats Society) In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Marilyn Tuxward. She is survived by her loving husband of 40 years, Robert Drabbant; son John Forbes Jr. and Melody Bender of Dover; four daughters, Arlene and her husband Robert Gensel of Coral Springs, Fla., Sharon and her husband Kevin Ulrich of Camden, Laurie Forbes of Magnolia, and Kathleen and her husband Shawn Vogt of Felton. Virginia is also survived by her grandchildren, Allen Breeding of Miramar, Fla., April Thornley of Chicago, Ill., Julia Todd of Laurel, Carrie McGinnes of Dover, Alex and Molly Ulrich of Camden, Ethan, Ryan and Natalie Vogt of Felton and her great-grandchildren, Ethan, Emily, and Gavin Breeding of Miramar, Fla. and her brothers, Richard Steele of Felton and Brad and his wife Phyllis Steele of Marydel. A funeral mass will be held 10"30 a.m. Thursday at St. Bernadette's Catholic Church in Harrington. Friends may call Wednesday night from 7 to 9 p.m in. the chapel of Berry-Short Funeral Home, Main St., Felton. Burial will be at Sharon Hills Cemetery, Dover.