Jacqueline S. Drozdzal

Jacqueline S. Drozdzal (née Trudo) was born on August 26, 1954 in Nyack, NY to Joseph Trudo and Marjorie Trudo (née Bryant). She was raised in Albany, NY where she would meet her future husband, Kenneth Drozdzal. They moved first to Ft. Hood, TX and then Honolulu, HI before settling in Rensselaer, NY to be closer to family after he retired from the military. She ran a babysitting business but often spent all of her earnings doing special things for the children in her care to make sure they were happy. She treated them almost like they were her own children. She took a job as an elementary school cafeteria cashier so she could see her son during the day and ended up being a favorite of all of the kids. They would talk to her about everything and she would let them sneak an ice cream or treat or buy it for them with her own money when they couldn't afford it to ensure that none of the kids had to go without. She gave so freely that it could cause tensions but she couldn't help it, she loved to see people happy. They say "those who can't do, teach" and she must have heard this somewhere because despite being unable to bowl a frame she started and ran a bowling league for hundreds of kids. She couldn't do more than wade in water and was terrified to go under but that didn't stop her from starting a swimming club that taught busloads of kids how to swim. She helped so many kids create so many fond memories growing up that people still randomly bring up stories with a smile and a laugh. She printed flyers, stickers, shirts and buttons, organized people and events and lobbied to help block a coal plant from locating in our city. She spent years as a home nurse and advocated tirelessly to ensure her patients were never overlooked by anyone; she looked out for them like family. She was able to get people to do just about anything that she wanted them to do and she loved helping people and so she used that persuasiveness to do just that. Almost everyone she met, even the patients in the next bed over when she was in the hospital, ended up being her friend and looked to her for help whenever they needed it and usually ended up much better off for it. Her best friend was her little dog Mousey who never strayed from her lap and could be seen for years all over the city in her arms as she drove everywhere she needed to go. Jackie would make the rounds talking to everyone and little five pound Mousey would growl at them all tirelessly until she was sure her Mommy was safe. She could sometimes be stubborn, overbearing, single minded and a pain but she was always tough, loyal, dedicated, caring, clever, giving and loving. She was always there for everybody even if she knew that they wouldn't be there for her and often when they didn't know how to be there for themselves. She would give the shirt off of her back. No services will be held. She believed that people shouldn't dwell in heartbreak and that visits are best done when a person is here to enjoy them. Those that she knew and loved know it and know that she would not want them to be sad for too long. She leaves behind her husband, Kenneth, two sons, Michael and Mark, a grandson, Mark, a sister and brother in law, Dorothy and Edward Bird, and numerous nieces and nephews. She loved her family more than anything and was always there for them. She will never be forgotten and will always be loved.