Elizabeth Drago, 43, of Clinton Corners, N.Y., passed away Sunday, May 21, at Mid-Hudson Regional Hospital in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., five weeks after suffering an intracranial hemorrhage. She lived with her husband, Neil W. Regan Jr., formerly of Scranton, Pa., and 8-year old son Theo Drago-Regan.
Elizabeth and Neil met in 1999 and would have celebrated their 17th anniversary this June. Born in Ephrata, Pa., she is the daughter of Joseph Thomas and Nancy (Marlow) Drago of the Town of Clinton, N.Y. A 1997 graduate of Millbrook School and a 2004 graduate of the Pratt Institute School of Art, Elizabeth worked in Food Photography — she loved food and she loved photography and she was thrilled to combine those two passions in her work.
Elizabeth lived every facet of her life with an abundance of grace and a lightness of spirit whether she was playing Soccer or Lacrosse for Millbrook School or on a photo shoot on 27th Street in Manhattan or teaching Theo how to make pancakes or assemble dumplings. Her eyes and her smile could brighten the grungiest subways of New York City and made the gorgeous sunsets in Clinton Corners even more beautiful. And in a surreal twist, those big brown eyes will live on to help another human being regain their vision — her adventure continues!
Elizabeth's family would like to thank the staffs of Mid-Hudson Regional Hospital and East Clinton Fire Hall for their lifesaving efforts and extraordinary care throughout this tragedy.
In addition to her husband, child and parents, she is survived by her brother, Christopher Drago and partner Eric Rewilak of Stanford, N.Y.; Aunt Frances "Fee" Silvert of Pine Plains, N.Y.; Aunt Anne and Uncle Warren Vose of Martha's Vineyard; Aunt Jeanne Dillon of Louisburg, N.C.; Aunt Judy Marlow of Highlands Ranch, N.C.; sister in-law, Barbara Chillemi and husband Ronald, Ridgewood, N.J.; brother in-law, Brendan Regan and wife Sarah, Jermyn, Pa.; and a nephew, Jack Chillemi.
She was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents Grace (Douglass) and Alfred S. Marlow and her paternal grandparents Samuel and Angelina (Monaco) Drago.
In accordance with her wishes, Elizabeth entered the organ donor program making valuable contributions through the amazing folks at LiveOn NY and has been cremated. A private service will be held near their home in the Town of Clinton. A public gathering in celebration of her life will be announced at a later date. Arrangements, Neil W. Regan Funeral Home Inc., Scranton, Pa.
To read the family's daily update blog of the past six weeks and to learn more about Elizabeth's journey, and to find out about any memorial contributions (in lieu of flowers) please visit CaringBridge.