Nina L. Drage, 76, of Dresden, passed away unexpectedly on Oct. 26.
Nina was born in Panchevo, Yugoslavia on June 10, 1935, daughter of Leonid Sdobnev and Elena (Schnitnikova) Sdobnev.
After a difficult life in Yugoslavia, then Argentina, she came to the United States in 1960. Nina met her husband, Sergey and started her family in Queens, N.Y. a few years later. The family moved to Dresden in 1973 to enjoy a better quality of life in the country. Nina started a farm and became involved with her church in Richmond, St. Alexander Nevsky. She frequently helped Russian elderly in the community with transportation, food delivery and interpreting. Nina saw an opportunity to help even more people and began her career as a caregiver with local organizations. Coming from a poor war torn childhood, she felt an urgency to help children who suffer, and sponsored a boy through Child Fund. Helping others was one of Nina’s happiest passions in life.
Nina was predeceased by her husband Sergey; parents, Leonid and Elena; and dearest friend, Carolina Sdobnev.
Nina is survived by her children, Michael and wife Tanya of Dresden, Kathryn of Gardiner and Sergey with partner Paula Codrington of Orono; brother, Eugene Sdobnev and wife Ellen of Owego, N.Y.; nephew, Eugene Sdobnev Jr. of Arizona; nieces, Tatiana Sdobnev of New Jersey and Nadia Sdobnev of New York; many great-nieces and nephews; and grandchildren, Aidan and Ronan, who were the absolute light of her life.
An outdoor service on her property that she loved 1:30 p.m., Sat., Nov. 5 at 174 East Pittston Rd., Dresden.
In Nina’s memory please consider donations to the following charities: ChildFund.org to sponsor a poor or orphaned child in a one to one relationship; or SmileTrain.org to help provide cleft surgery for children in need.
Arrangements are entrusted to Kincer Funeral Home, Richmond.
