Macedon, NY: December 1. 2023. Surrounded by her loving family. Predeceased by Husband, Roger and Son, Michael. Survived by her children Pando (Nada) Vasilovski, Denise (Jim) Hogestyn, Luba (Kevin Kobey) Drouin, Rick (Wendy Rossi) Drouin and Linda (William) Redfield; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Calling hours, Wednesday, December 6th 5-8pm at the Richard H. Keenan Funeral Home (Egypt location). Funeral services will be held on Thursday, December 7th at 10am interment immediately following at, Riverside Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Lipson Cancer Center https://www.rrhgive.org/find-a-cause/forms/lci-wave-2-acq
Biography of Menka’s Life
Born: May 17, 1935, in Bitola, Yugoslavia. Menka was the baby of 5 siblings. She married Roger Drouin, on August 1, 1968,and had 6 children in their blended family. Menka was also a Grandmother and Great-Grandmother and loved this role so much!
Menka endured many hardships in the old country; She would tell stories of the Nazi Germans invading their village and occupying her home as a child, (she was 6). During times when their village wasn’t being bombed, Menka, her siblings and the other village children would pick up the artillery shells that had littered the streets. After the war was over, she worked on the family farm until one day was afflicted with Polio, which left her paralyzed for a while. Eventually, learning to walk again, she got married and had 2 beautiful children.
Years later, Menka was able to get a VISA from communist Yugoslavia to attend the World’s Fair in NYC in 1964. Her Mom and other family members were already living in Rochester, NY at the time and she was excited to visit them, see NYC and the Fair. However, the decision to go would also come with great sadness as she would have to leave her 7-year-old daughter and 11-year-old son behind, a decision she always said, was the “hardest she ever had to make”. Her dream was to become an American Citizen, (which she did so proudly) and bring her children here to have a better life, which they eventually did.
Menka was set up on a blind date with Roger Drouin and married him a few short months after meeting. Thus began, the greatest love story of all time spanning nearly 50 years, rarely spending a day apart. Menka led an amazing life and put family above all else. Her other passions included dancing, walking, playing cards, friends, working out and her garden of vegetables and flowers. She loved both fiercely and would eat peppers every day of her life, lunch and dinner (sometimes just for a snack too)!
Comments
5 responses to “Drouin, Menka P.”
Sending sympathy to your family. I knew Menka through my parents, Joe and Jeanne Walczak. They vacationed in Florida at the same location and when I went to visit my parents we would all get together. Always had fun together. We, and you, will cherish the memories they made along the way.
Lynn and Walt Kowalczuk
She will be so missed , I’m so glad she came to see my new home in North Carolina. We had a lot of fun . She is now in the arms of the Angels and with my dad who she missed terribly, love you mom Denise and Jim
Menka was such a beautiful person. We loved when she came to family gatherings. She was a very kind soul and will be missed by who knew her and loved her. You are with the love of your life and now you and Roger can walk together holding hands. Love you Menka Kathy Wojciechowski and family.🙏🙏🙏
Eternal Love
Just yesterday, my heart felt the pain,
My grandma passed away, but it’s a love story, not in vain,
For she’ll be with my grandpa Roger, forever by his side,
Their love will never fade, it’s a love that will abide.
Menka and Roger, a blind date that led to fate,
They married in an instant, it was never too late,
Their love story spanned decades, almost fifty years,
Through laughter and tears, they conquered all their fears.
With Roger by her side, they shared a love so rare,
Through ups and downs they stood, a bond beyond compare,
Now she’s found her solace, in a place she calls her own,
In the arms of her true love, a love forever known.
My grandma lived a life, so extraordinary and grand,
Family was her priority, always lending a helping hand,
She danced with joy, walked the path of life with grace,
Played cards with friends, a smile on her face.
Out in the yard and garden, she walked amid the vegetables and flowers,
A true lover of peppers, she savored them for hours,
Her passion for life was unmatched, she lived it to the brim,
And on the day she left us, she said, “Take me, God” for she knew the journey was not dim.
So let us remember, the love that they did share,
A love that’s everlasting, a love beyond compare,
Though she’s no longer with us, her love will never cease,
In our hearts and memories, her spirit finds its peace.
Just like fire and rain, a love that won’t subside,
My grandma found her true love again and with him she will forever abide,
Though she’s no longer with us, her love will never cease,
In our hearts and memories, her spirit finds its peace.
Sending love and support as we remember Menka. Our lives were enriched by her kindness, warm heart and generous hugs. We will always remember the wonderful times we had with Menka & Roger… truly our family of the heart. Rest in peace mamacita.