Jennie Dragotta

LOUDONVILLE, NY – Jennie Dragotta passed away on Sunday, August 25, 2013. She was born Giavanna Vincenza Guagliano in Brooklyn, NY on June 24, 1916, the daughter of the late Pietro and Anna Guagliano. Jennie traveled cross-country with her infant daughter and three year old son, living in Tacoma, WA during her husband's deployment to the South Pacific. After the war, Jennie and her husband lived in Cortland, NY before moving to Loudonville in 1960. Jennie was employed by Whitney's at Stuyvesant Plaza and later at the opening of Macy's in Colonie Center until her retirement in 1983. She enjoyed the races at Saratoga with her girlfriends and senior citizen bus trips far and wide. Jennie traveled as far as Anchorage, AK and saw her childhood dream come true on a trip to the Big Sky country of Montana and Idaho. "Ma" as she was known to the staff at Grandma's Restaurant, is what she considered her "home away from home". Jennie was famous for her marvelous cheesecake and rice pudding which were staples at family gatherings. She will be remembered sitting in her easy chair knitting afghans for members of her beloved family.


In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her sisters, Ann DalLago and Lillian Ferrante, her brother, Dr. Anthony Guagliano and her beloved husband, Dr. Salvatore M. Dragotta, a veterinarian and U.S. Army Captain who served in the Pacific Theater during World War II. Jennie is the devoted mother of Matthew (Susan Brady) and Carolyn (Dr. Joe Currier). She is the cherished grandmother of Lisa Melillo, Dr. Joseph Currier, Kimberly Carbaugh and Kristen Knight. She will be greatly missed by her ten great-grandchildren. Also surviving is her sister-in-law, Mary Dragotta of Marlboro, NY with whom she had a very loving relationship for seventy years. Jennie will be greatly missed.

A special thank you to the staff and volunteers of Community Hospice for their gentle care throughout her final days and deep appreciation to Dr. Roberta Miller, Kathy Brizzell and the outstanding staff of Ingersoll Place Memory Care for their constant care and compassion.


Funeral services will be Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. at New Comer Cannon Funeral Home, 343 New Karner Rd., Colonie (Rt. 155-south of Central Ave). Calling hours will be Tuesday from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Interment will follow in St. Agnes Cemetery, Menands.