United Way staff recall woman’s selfless manner

On the day Wanda Draginda was laid to rest, her coworkers at United Way remembered her and her commitment to helping families struggling in poverty.

Draginda, 57, was struck and killed in a marked crosswalk while walking her dog Tigger on June 17 around 7 p.m.

She had been with the United Way of the Alberta Capital Region for eight years as the director of finance.

“Wanda was an important team member for our United Way. Along with being an extremely astute financial manager, she was just fun to be around. She had a great wit, a real love for animals and always had time for you,” said Rob Yager, chief operating officer of the United Way Alberta Capital Region, in an emailed statement on Friday.

“She was the kind of person who, if her office door was part way closed when you came by and she saw you in the hall, she’d always call out and say: ‘Don’t leave, come on in and how can I help you?’

“It has been a difficult time for our staff with the loss of Wanda. She was an absolute pleasure to have on our United Way team and she will be greatly missed.”

According to her obituary, she was married to her husband Brian Draginda for 36 years. Her family is asking for donations to the United Way and the Edmonton Humane Society in her memory.

The Edmonton Police Service continues to investigate the crash at Suder Greens Drive between Lewis Estates Boulevard and Potter Greens Drive.

According to a news release issued on June 17, a green Lexus SUV hit Draginda, driven by a 42-year old man. His 12-year-old son and 40-year-old wife were also in the vehicle at the time.

Alcohol has been ruled out as a factor in the crash.

No charges have been laid and the investigation continues.

Her death is the fourth pedestrian fatality of 2017.