Catherine “Kitty” Hawk Drago, 86, a resident of Forty Fort, passed into eternal life early Saturday morning, August 26, 2017, at the Wilkes-Barre General Hospital, following a brief illness.

Her first husband was the late James J. Hawk Sr., a World War II veteran and fire chief emeritus of the Swoyersville Volunteer Hose Company #1, who passed away in 1980. Her second husband was the late Anthony C. Drago, a prisoner of war during World War II, who passed away in 2006.

Born on April 05, 1931, in Swoyersville, Catherine was the only child born to the late Frank and Catherine (Conroy) Chieffi.

Raised in Swoyersville, Kitty was a graduate of the former Swoyersville High School, Class of 1949.

Kitty began working during high school as an assistant for the late Paul Bieley, a well-known photographer in Swoyersville. She then went on to work side-by-side with her first husband, James Hawk, in the Photograph and Printing Business. Following the death of her first husband, she became employed by Suburban Publishers, working there for 18 ½ years until its closure in 1991. She then worked for Kramer Kitchens and Rogan Electric, handing both companies accounts receivable, accounts payable and payroll. She was last employed by Robert M. Sides Music Center.

Kitty was actively involved with her children’s activities as they were growing up. From Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, to Junior Catholic Daughters, she was always there to support her children.

A life member of the Swoyersville Volunteer Hose Company #1, Kitty served as secretary and treasurer of the fire company’s Relief Association for 27 years. In 1974, she was the first appointed female firefighter in Pennsylvania.

Kitty was also a member of the American P.O.W.’s, Keystone Chapter, serving as its Treasurer for some time. She was also an active volunteer with the American Red Cross.

A faithful Catholic, Kitty was a past member of the former Holy Name/Saint Mary’s Parish Community, Swoyersville. Following the consolidation of her church, she became a member of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Swoyersville.

In addition to her parents, Frank and Catherine Chieffi, and her husbands, James Hawk and Anthony Drago, Kitty was preceded in death by her son, James J. Hawk Jr., who passed away in 2005.

Kitty is survived by her children, Catherine Viechec, New York; Theresa Hawk, Kingston; Ann Maria Lyons, Virginia; Frank Hawk and Ann Marie, West Wyoming; and Carol (Daren) Gamble, Harding; her twenty grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren; as well as her nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend the funeral which will be conducted on Wednesday, August 30, 2017, at 9:30 AM from the Wroblewski Funeral Home Inc., 1442 Wyoming Avenue, Forty Fort, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10:00 AM in Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, 116 Hughes Street, Swoyersville, with the Reverend Joseph J. Pisaneschi, her pastor, officiating. 

Interment with the Rite of Committal will follow in Saint Mary’s Roman Catholic Cemetery, Hanover Township.

Friends and family are invited to call on Tuesday, August 29, 2017, from 5:00 to 8:00 PM, at the funeral home.

For additional information or to send Kitty’s family an online message of condolence, you may visit the funeral home website, www.wroblewskifuneralhome.com.

The family will be providing flowers, so they kindly ask that floral tributes be omitted. In Lieu of Flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Kitty’s memory to Blue Chip Farm Animal Refuge, 974 Lockville Road, Dallas, Pennsylvania 18612.