Chelsey Drapaka
It is with deep sorrow and much love that we mourn the loss of Chelsey Drapaka who passed away unexpectedly at her home in Edmonton on December 6, 2020, just days before her 37th birthday.
Born on December 19, 1983, Chelsey will be forever remembered and sadly missed by her loving parents, Eugene and Colleen Drapaka; sister, Erin (Rhys) Drapaka; nephew, Brantley; niece, Oaklyn; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and special relatives. Chelsey’s memory will shine on like a diamond in the hearts of all who knew and loved her and especially by those she came to know through her involvement with Autism Edmonton – an organization she was devoted to and where she received support, inclusion and friendship.
Chelsey had a unique outlook on life, spreading joy and kindness to everyone she encountered. She was an avid sports fan, enjoyed knitting, volunteered her time, and most of all treasured being “Auntie Chelsey” to her cousins’ children all of whom she loved and thought the world of.
Chelsey was predeceased by paternal grandparents; George and Mary Drapaka, and by maternal grandparents; Nick and Anne Wanchuk.
A private family service will take place, and Chelsey will be laid to rest at St. Michael’s cemetery.
If desired, donations can be made to Autism Edmonton (Autism Society of Edmonton Area)
https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/autism-society-of-edmonton-area/campaign/in-memory-of-chelsey-drapaka/
Deepest sympathies to the Drapaka family. Chelsey was a beautiful person and will forever hold a special place in many hearts. 💕
I am so very sorry. I have such fond memories of going to school with Chelsea. She was truly one of a kind. Hugs and prayers to all that were touched by her light.
Chelsey was such a kind, kind soul! Her smile lit up a room! Rest in heavenly peace Chelsey. Your kindness will be remembered…
Colleen, Eugene, Erin and Rhys. We are so sorry to hear of Chelsey’s passing. She is fondly remembered as Gido’s driver and as a kind and caring person. Hugs and prayers.
Colleen, Eugene, Erin and family, I am so sorry for your loss, sending my thoughts and prayers to everyone.
Sending our deepest condolences to Colleen, Eugene and family. You are in our prayers
Dear Eugene,Colleen and Erin I was so sad to hear of Chelsea’s passing . My thoughts and prayers are with you all God Bless you all
Dear Eugene, Colleen and family, we are so sad to hear of Chelsea’s passing. Please accept our most sincere condolences.
My heart, condolences and prayers goes out to all of Chelsey’s family and friends.
My heart breaks for you all.
She inspired me and others more than you will ever know with her unique outlook on life, her kindness, love of knitting, sports and Oilers and of course her love for her nieces and nephews and especially her contagious adorable smile which I will forever remember. She will be missed by so many.
Dear Colleen, Lloyd and I know how you are feeling. Our hearts are breaking for you and your family. God bless you and please take care.
My deepest sympathies.She was such a sweetheart to me when I was taking care of my dad, Tony, in Edmonton.She offered to help walk Diplo, the dog, everyday.She came to help with the garden, just offered her help. She was a loving presence in the nieghbourhood. She said beautiful words to me when my dad passed. She offered a beautiful gift of handmade potholders. She gave of herself, such a beautiful quality. Godspeed my dear.
So saddened to hear this news. Chelsey was kind, caring and so incredibly proud or all her nieces and nephews. She will be missed! Your family is in our thoughts and prayers.
Melissa and Jason
Eugene COLEEN So sorry to hear of your loss. May she rest in Peace.
Chelsea was well loved by family and extended family. She was a frequent Bonnie Doon coffee member and smiling in our birthday Santa pics. Always positive, talented, resourceful and a joy to meet. We are stunned by her passing and know that she will be embraced in heaven. We will miss her. Love you Chelsea. Our hearts are with her family and friends.
I am so sorry for the loss I worked with chelsey at target. She was a joy to work with. Rest assured she is in a better place and watching over all. Once again I am so sorry for your loss.
My deepest condolences to the family. Chelsea’s upbeat anecdotes and personality will be missed. She is loved by many, rest in peace angel!
Dear Colleen, Eugene, Erin and Family,
Our hearts break and can only imagine the great loss that has torn your family. Our warmest condolences and prayers to you all. The words in the obituary really demonstrate the kind, loving, special and generous person Chelsey was.
Our love to you.
Calvin, Cyndie, Meagan, Kaila, Kelsey and Families
My condolences. Saw the picture and brought back memories.
I knew Chelsey for a brief amount of time. She would be a bright spot in my day. We would talk about the Edmonton Eskimos and she would be super happy to tell me about them. I will miss her. My condolences to the family
I am so very sorry for your loss. Chelsey was such a beautiful girl with a warm beautiful smile. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. God Bless you.
Chelsey and I played baseball together when we were kids. I remember her being such a kind and happy spirit. My condolences go out to her family and friends. Heaven has gained another Angel.
Sandy and I are so sorry to hear about the passing of Chelsey. We can’t imagine the pain you are going. Hugs.
Sandy and I are so sorry to hear about the passing of Chelsey. We can’t imagine the pain you are going. through, Hugs.
So sorry got your loss! We will miss Aunty Chelsey!!! Xoxo
For your loss** so many memories with her! Wish we could have more time together!
Colleen, Eugene, Erin and Family. We are heartbroken to hear this sad news. Chelsea and your family are such a sweet memory of our time in St Paul. Ukrainian dance, ringette, birthday parties, the list is endless. Love and prayers.
My condolences to Chelsey’s family !! She was such a ray of sunshine in St. Paul Regional High School.
Our deepest condolences to the family. May you find comfort in your memories.
Sympathies and hugs to you all! Chelsey I always remember you to have a smile for everyone and welcome people with open arms, may you Rest In Peace!💕😇
My condolences to Chelsey’s family. She was a lovely woman and I enjoyed all our adventures at the Autism Edmonton Gardening Program.
My deepest condolences. This is so unexpected and so sad.
My thoughts and prayers go out to family and friends.
Colleen, Eugene and family
My heart is breaking, so sorry for your loss. You are in my prayers🙏🙏
Chelsey was a wonderful person and I am sincerely sorry to hear of her sudden passing. I will always remember having chats with while she took her walks around our neighbourhood. She was very kind, loved her family and her knitting. I was always so impressed at how she helped her neighbours and donated her time to the Autisic association. She will be sorely missed.
Colleen, Gene, Erin, Rhys and family,
Deepest sympathy on the sudden loss of Chelsey. Chelsey’s love of people shone through in her smile and how she touched base with everyone. Her laughter and how much she enjoyed her nieces and nephews and any kids that were around her was so endearing. It is comforting to know she is with her beloved grandparents.
Colleen, Eugene, Erin and family. Chelsey was such a beautiful person. We will always remember her with fond memories.
I am so very sorry for your loss. Chesley and I worked together at Target. She was a favorite of many of the staff and customers. She was a hard worker and was eager to please. I am sending my prayers and deepest condolences to her family and may she Rest In Peace.
Colleen, Eugene, Erin and family. So sorry to hear of Chelsey’s passing. She was a fun loving, smiling girl. Grandpa’s companion! Hugs and prayers.
Our hearts are saddened at this news. Chelsey brought joy everywhere she went. Her smile filled the room. May she rest in peace and her memories bring comfort to your grief. We hold all of you in our prayers.
Colleen, Eugene and family we are so sorry for you loss. Our deepest sympathies.
Sorry for your loss
I’m so sorry for your loss…she was my coworked in Zellers …she always was very happy, friendly and lovely . She sent me a lot of information about autism spectrum. Big hugs to all of you. 😌😌😌
My sincerest condolences to Chelsey’s friends and family. I had the pleasure of knowing her as kids, going to school together and playing on the same ringette team. She always brought a positive attitude and a friendly smile. She will be missed by all who knew her.
Eugene & Colleen, our heart’s go out to you! Our deepest sympathies…
I’m so sorry to hear this. My thoughts and prayers to Chelsey’s family & friends🌹
My family and I send our deepest condolences for your loss. She was a lovely soul, passionate and caring for all. I have many memories throughout the years of how she brought happiness and kindness to all of those around her.
Your family is in our thoughts and prayers.
The Muller Family
Deepest sympathies to you all.
I’m so sorry to hear of this news. Chelsea was the epitome of kindness, joy and love. The type of person I strive to be. My condolences, and may you find peace in knowing she left a mark in the hearts of everyone she met. I haven’t seen her since high school, but the memory of seeing her in those hallways makes me smile.
Colleen and Gene: We are so sorry to hear of your great loss. Chelsey had the biggest heart and I guess the Lord needed another Angel.
Colleen, Eugene, and Erin – words cannot express the depth of our sympathy during this difficult time. We were heartbroken to hear the sad news. Chelsey was a sweetheart and she will be missed so much by everyone whose life she touched in some small way. I am sure the Baba’s and Gido’s and Chelsey are together and they had her angel wings waiting for her when she arrived in heaven. She was truly an angel. Hugs and prayers to all of you.
Deb and Duane Lawrence
Colleen, Gene, Erin & family – Thinking of you as you mourn the loss of Chelsey. Words cannot express what our hearts would like to say. Love Auntie Kay, Gladys, Larry, Lance, Tara and families.
Dear Colleen, Eugene and Erin,
Our neighbourhood is reeling from the loss of Chelsey. She was a fixture at our block parties, and looked out for others who needed help. Always curious and interested in the neighbours, Chelsey would often stop and talk with us on her walk-abouts. This summer we observed Chelsey’s warmth and compassion as she helped Tony Fisher’s family through their grief, and looked out for Diplo (his dog). She will be missed. Our sincerest condolences to your family. Melanie and Jim
I’m going to miss Chelsea. I am a long time member of autism Edmonton.
I keep seeing her at the ice cream shop with me, the autism walk a thon and at a movie.
Her smile follows me around. She made having autism a good thing. Koodoos to her family for raising as such a kind and fun lady.
Dianne a member of autism Edmonton and a friend 😁🤓🌄
Colleen, Eugene, Erin and families
May our condolences bring you comfort and may our prayers ease the pain of your loss……
Dear Family Drapaka,
Words can’t express how saddened I am to hear of your loss.
My memories of Chelsey include her quiet and sometimes not so quiet and wonderful determination; her uplifting spirit; as well as, her heartfelt willingness and her persistent efforts to support, inspire and elevate others.
I will miss her. 💕 May your hearts find peace and comfort.
I am so very sorry for your loss. RIP Chelsey
The loss of Chelsea will leave a gap in the lives of many. She will be dearly missed. Our sincerest condolences to your family.
Colleen, Eugene and family: Sincere condolences for your heartbreaking loss. Chelsey was so lucky to have such a loving family.
Gene, Colleen, Erin and family. Our deepest sympathies in your loss. Our prayers are with you and your family.
Dearest Colleen,Eugene,Erin,Rhys and family, words cannot cannot express our heartfelt sadness for you. You were so blessed to have such a beautiful loving daughter, that had such a love for everything that she did. Chelsea was such a special person and may those special memories of her, help you through this time and may those memories be with you forever.
Our Love Arlene and Sherwin and families.
Colleen, Eugene, Erin & Rhys, Our deepest condolences to you all, my heart goes out to you. She was a very special girl and will be missed by all who knew her. May she RIP.
Sincere condolences to Colleen, Eugene, and family.
Our deepest condolences go out to Chelsey’s loving family. Chelsey was always so positive with a wonderful smile for all.
Colleen and Gene and family – Our sincere condolences , we are very sorry for your loss.
Dick and Jan
We were so very sad to hear of Chelsea’s passing. We had the pleasure of conversing with Chelsea on a daily basis when she was out for her walks. I thoroughly enjoyed our chats. We will miss her and her smiling face. Rest in the peace my dear. Our sincerely condolences to you all.
I am a bit shocked that Chelsea passed away at such a young age.
I remember Chelsea has being friendly, warm-hearted, and I enjoyed being around her. She was big into helping out at Autism Edmonton, with the library there too I think.
I’m saddened by this loss.
I remember Chelsea as just about always having a smile on her face.
Colleen, Eugene, Erin and extended family
There are no words that can erase the deep sadness, loss and pain you are feeling. The outpouring of so many loving comments and memories of Chelsey say so much about the kind heart and infectious smile that shared with everyone around her. She was such a generous person who loved her family and friends deeply. She was also such a passionate person. I used to think I was a pretty big sports fan until I saw Chelsey and the passion she had for her Eskies and Oilers. I’m not sure I knew a bigger fan. I think the only thing that brought her more joy was being Auntie Chelsey. I loved seeing her posts on social media so I could stay caught up with what she was doing and I was so happy to see the fulfillment she had from her involvement as a volunteer with Autism. I admired her talent for knitting and I loved seeing what she was going to create next. I only wish I could knit as good as she could. She always had time for me and my family whenever we saw her and her genuine nature always left me saying “that’s just Chelsey”. I can’t tell you how much that meant. The baby and little girl I remember grew into a really special young woman. RIP Chelsey you will always have a special place in my heart. I take comfort knowing you are with Baba and Gido now. My thoughts are with all of you during this difficult time. Love Belinda❤️
I met Chelsey almost five years ago in Edmonton. Over the years I’ve gone for coffee and ice cream with her. She was always very friendly and outgoing. We all appreciated her work with Autism Edmonton, which she took a great interest in. She’ll be greatly missed.
Lost for words and very saddened to hear the news of Chelsey’s passing
She was a such a bright light in our Autism community and will be so terribly missed by so many
Deepest condolences to her family and friends
Eugene, Colleen, Erin and family,
Please accept our most sincere condolence, may you hold her memory close to your heart.
To the Drapaka Family:
Words cannot express how deeply sorry I am to hear about the passing of your daughter/sister, Chelsey. My deepest sympathy for your loss.
Chelsey a kind and sweet soul will be greatly missed in our neighborhood. She always had a hello and a smile for everyone. A ray of sunshine. She was always very caring and thoughtful to her neighborhood friends. My sincere condolences to her family.
Eugene, Colleen and family… We are so sorry to hear of Chelsey passing. May you find strength in the happy memories.
Colleen, Eugene & Erin
Our Sincere Condolences upon hearing the loss of Chelsea.
May God Bless and Comfort You
Colleen, Eugene and family: We are deeply sorry to hear about the loss of your beautiful Chelsea. Our hearts go out to all of you. Love & Blessings.
Dear Colleen, Gene, Erin and Family,
I am deeply saddened and have a heavy heart knowing Chelsey is no longer with us. Our family has lost one of our faithful, loving, caring and helpful children. We were blessed to have Chelsey in our lives. I will miss her dearly.
This is very sad news, Chelsey had an abundance of life affirming energy and I would say, even joy. It showed in her spontaneous smile and her enthusiasm for her sports teams, and in so many other ways.
I was fortunate to meet her at Autism Edmonton but also an occaisional meeting on the sidewalk near her home, close to where I live. My heart lit up at her genuine pleasure at seeing someone she knew.
My sincere condolences to the Drapaka family.
Dear Colleen, Gene, Erin and Family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this most difficult time. Chelsey’s determination, dedication and loyalty should be an inspiration to all of us. She will be missed by many.
Chelsea loved us. She spread love, connecting with all of us, bringing us closer to each other through her. How can that not leave a hole in our hearts? We loved her back and we love you.
Take the best care yourselves and of each other through the shock and grief.
Chelsey will be fondly remembered as a priceless treasure of a neighbour. She welcomed us into the community with her bright smile and soft spirit. Chelsey will be cherished in our home and in our community forever.
Our deepest sympathy to Colleen, Eugene, Erin and families. Chelsey lived by the adage, “I want to be remembered by the way I lived”. She didn’t disappoint. Memories are eternal and Chelsey left us with many. It has been said that “time heals all wounds” but it is remembering Chelsey that will make a difference. You have now taken your rightful place in Heaven, but you shall not be forgotten.
GOD Bless the loved ones!
Andy and Michelle
The sudden loss of our dear friend Chelsey has left a hole in our hearts and community.
Such a bright smile, kind soul and what a sports enthusiast!
We will miss her in the neighbourhood.
Our deepest condolences.
Don and Juanita Roos (and our pup Bruin who adores Chelsey)
Kelsey, Ramon and Luca and Oscar
Colleen, Eugene, and family our thoughts and prayers go out to all of you.
May all the warm and cherished memories of Chelsey keep your family smiling.
God Bless, and our love.
My deepest condolences to the family. Chelsey was a lovely being! I met Chelsey at work and we became friends! She was so dedicated and caring!She always helped new co-workers who needed a hand.!
So sad to find out that she left this world. She’s in a better place now but forever in our hearts 💕
Rest In Peace my dear friend Chelsey 👼
Charlotte and I are very sorry to hear of her death at such a young age. We know she will go to heaven. We will miss her smile and positive attitude.
Our deepest condolences to the family. Chelsey was a lovely addition to our neighbourhood and her enthusiasm and friendly conversation will be missed. It is nice to know she has touched so many lives and we are proud to be able to remember her on her birthday this year.
My deepest condolences to Colleen, Eugene, Erin and family. It was always nice to see Chelsey at Bonnie Doon and so enjoyed her company. I will miss our conversations about the Eskimos and Oilers but more important I will miss Chelsey.
Gene, Colleen, Erin, Rhys and Children
Our hearts are breaking for you as you journey throughout these early days of loss. You are not alone. You are in our hearts. We know that Chelsey will be forever loved and missed by you and everyone that knew her. There is comfort in believing that she rests in the arms of her Babas and Gidos and everyone who has gone before her. We will miss her, love her and honour her memory until we meet her again. We love you all.
Colleen, Eugene, Erin and Family – our deepest condolences. We were shocked to hear of Chelsey’s passing; it seems like it was only yesterday that we last saw her at the mall with her other relatives, sharing treats and stories. May her passion for life bring us all hope for the future.
Colleen, Eugene, Erin and Rys
Such a shock hearing about Chelsey. Our condolences, and may you find peace in knowing she left a mark in the hearts of everyone she met. Her smile and unconditional thoughtfulness to everyone she met will always be a memory we have of her.
So sad she left the world so young.
Sending hugs
Our deepest condolences.
They say that death leaves a sting no one can heal, and love leaves a memory that no one can steal. If that’s true, then we have an infinity of wonderful memories to hold on to, don’t we? Chelsey’s warm smile and deep laughter were always a welcome presence and will be missed. Chelsey had a “hello” for everyone and if anyone wanted to talk hockey, she was more than willing.
Forever in our hearts and prayers.
I am deeply sorry for your loss. Please know my thoughts are with you.
Eugene, Colleen and family our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of loss.
Thinking of you this time of year, and always, Chelsey. I miss you, dear friend.