Mary Ellen Allred Drashner

Mary Ellen (Allred) Drashner passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her children in Boise, Idaho, on Sunday evening, August 23, 2015, at the age of 81. If you were fortunate to have known Mary Ellen, then you have a fond memory to smile about the rest of your life. Not only was she incredibly gracious, truly kind and loving but she never wanted to miss out on any fun. “Celebrate Life” was her motto. She viewed life as a series of adventures and even being ill was just another adventure. Mary Ellen loved meeting and getting to know everyone that crossed her path. Her purpose in life was sharing her motherly love with so many.

Mary Ellen was born on January 28, 1934, in Hailey, Idaho, to Howard and Mary (Price) Allred. She was an only child for 7 years and a day when her little sister Kathryn was born. Mary Ellen and Kathryn were fondly known as the “Garnet Sisters”. Mary Ellen was raised in the Wood River Valley and graduated from Hailey High School in 1952. In the fall she attended the University of Idaho and graduated in 1956 with a B.S. in Elementary Education, minoring in Music and Business. While at U of I, Mary Ellen became a lifetime member of the music fraternity Sigma Alpha Iota. She was an accomplished pianist and filled her home with music as a child, a mother and a grandmother.

Following college Mary Ellen married Dick Dean Drashner on July 10, 1956, and moved to Salt Lake City, Utah. She taught 4th grade at Beacon Heights Elementary until 1959 when her first child was born. Mary Ellen and Dick lived in Utah, Idaho, Oklahoma, and Wyoming, and finally settled back in Boise in 1973. Dick worked in the insurance industry while Mary Ellen was a stay at home mom. She was involved in her children’s education, giving of her time and talents whenever possible. Not only did Mary Ellen pass down her love of education and music to her children but also her faith. She was a longtime member of St. Mark’s Catholic Church and was involved in the Council of Catholic Women and the Red Hat Angels.

As her children grew and the house emptied, she decided to go back to work. For 17 years she was the Secretary to the Idaho House Agricultural Affairs Committee working during the legislative sessions. Mary Ellen always found time to volunteer and share her love of music. She was a charter member of the Morrison Center Ladies Auxiliary and attended the Broadway Series each year. On many, many occasions she loved to take her children and grandchildren to musical events. In 1981 she became a member of the Assistance League of Boise. She treasured her work in the elementary schools doing hearing and screening tests and in following years working with Operation School Bell. Mary Ellen was a sustaining member of ALB at the time of her death.

Waiting for Mary Ellen to join them in Heaven are her husband, both of her parents, and many dear relatives. Mary Ellen survived raising 4 children – Valencia (Joe) Kosakowski, Daniel Drashner, Michelle (Jon) Ruzicka, Christopher (Kirsten) Drashner. Truly her greatest joy in life came from the birth of each of her 10 grandchildren (ranging in age from 31 to 1) and 2 great-grandchildren. Mary Ellen (aka Great Mary) will be greatly missed by her sister and brother-in-law, Kathryn and Robert Gardner, her dear nieces and their families, and many wonderful cousins. Words cannot express our gratitude to Dr. Larry Tansey & Cinda, Dr. Michael Maier, Dr. Stephanie Hodson & Nurse Jan, St. Al’s Cancer Care Center Staff, Nurse Jennifer Lenoue & St. Luke’s Hospice Staff, Exceptional Caregivers & Sherry, Father Ben Uhlenkott & Deacon Mike Lowe, and many caring neighbors.


Please join in a celebration of Mary Ellen’s life at St. Mark’s Catholic Church, 7960 Northview, Boise, on Friday, August 28th, for a Funeral Mass at 11 am (Rosary will be said prior to Mass at 10:15 am). Mom wanted her funeral to be her final celebration, full of life and color. She asked that we wear pink since she was known as the “Pink Gramma”. Graveside services will be held in Hailey, Idaho, on Saturday, August 29th, at 12 pm at the Hailey Cemetery. Flowers fade quickly so Mary Ellen requested donations be made in her memory to Assistance League of Boise – Operation School Bell, St. Jude’s Fund, or Sun Valley Jazz Festival. Remembrances may be left for the family at www.Accentfuneral.com. Services are under the direction of Accent Funeral Home.