Helen Drabik

New London — Helen Margaret Drabik passed away in the early morning of Saturday, April 1, 2017, after a brief illness.

She was born in Niantic to Salvatore and Ermalinda Lardeiri on May 19, 1925, attended local schools and proudly graduated WMI Class of 1943.

After a brief stint as a stitcher at Hermitage Hospital products, she worked as an administrative assistant at the Connecticut State Farm for Women until 1952. In 1951, she married dairy farmer Stanley Drabik and had three children, Nancy, John and Susan.

When the farm dissolved in 1959, Helen and Stanley built Cedar Ridge Golf Course, which opened in 1962. Helen’s very proud of her part in managing the business end of things, remarking with amazement a few days ago that this season’s opening will be its 55th year in business.

Helen is the last of the Lardieri family, having been predeceased by her parents; and sisters, Rose, Louise and Filomena. Her husband, Stanley, predeceased her in 1995.

She is survived by her son, John, with whom she made her home; daughters, Nancy Kalal and Susan Collins; and grandchildren, David and Daniel Collins and Kevin and Sarah Kalal.

In her final years, she enjoyed her home overlooking the golf course, watching the bluebirds, puttering in the garden and her bi-weekly trips to her exercise class with her good friend Doris.

Son John would like to thank her “Flanders Four Corners doctors” as she called them, Drs. Famiglietti, Beason, Albrecht and the Drs. Zelmanovs, Goldstein and Levin and their staffs for their attentive care, adding a bit of gold to her “golden years.”

There will be no calling hours.

A memorial service will be planned when the tears dry a bit.

Fulton-Theroux Funeral Home, Niantic, is handling the arrangements.

Donations in her name may be made to the Flanders Baptist and Community Church, 138 Boston Post Road, East Lyme, CT 06333.