Karen Elizabeth (Porterfield) Drabick, of Columbia, MD, passed away peacefully on January 27,2026 at Gilchrist Center in Towson, MD with her loving daughters Alyson Snider and Elizabeth Drabick, at her bedside. Karen was born in Mount Vernon, Ohio, on December 13,1945, to Thomas H. Porterfield Sr. and Mary Eleanor (Durbin) Porterfield. She was a 1963 graduate of St. Vincent de Paul High School in Mount Vernon. In 1966 she married, the love of her life, Rodger D. Drabick, and they shared forty-one years of marriage until Rodger’s passing in 2007.
Karen was a unique person. She was soft-spoken yet determined. She was never self-serving and deeply valued faith, family, friendship and kindness. She loved being a wife, mother and, grandmother. Karen was the type of friend we, all, should have — the one who is first to lend a sympathetic ear, a comforting word or a helping hand. She accepted life on life’s terms and always displayed an attitude of gratitude. From the above description of Karen, people might believe she had no flaws. That would not be the truth. Her family and friends will attest that Karen, nearly always, arrived late no matter the occasion. Do not be surprised if her funeral starts a few minutes late.
Karen is survived by two daughters, Alyson Danielle (Joe) Snider of Phoenix, Arizona and Elizabeth Ann Drabick (Bryan Burris) of Atlanta, GA ; three grandchildren, Kai Atanasoff (Holly Hammer), Corey Atanasoff and Riley Atanasoff, two siblings; Roger Jon Porterfield of Mount Vernon, Ohio and Mary E. (Porterfield) Stoner of Cambridge, Ohio, four sisters-in-law; Karen Wunderlin, Kathy (Randy) Lanning and Rose Drabick, all of Mount Vernon, Eileen Porterfield of Arlington, Virginia and a brother-in-law Richard (Rehana) Drabick of (Tawain). Also surviving are many nieces, nephews and many close friends.
In addition to her parents and in-laws Dan and Geraldine Drabick, she was predeceased by her sisters, Patricia E. (Porterfield) Gresko and Margaret A. (Porterfield) Penkhus; brothers, Rev. David J. Porterfield C.S.C, Thomas H. Porterfield Jr., Edward C. Porterfield and Bradford P. Porterfield; brother-in-law Matthew Gresko; niece Peggy Gresko; and great nephew: Jet Stoner.
A Mass for Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, February 9, 2026 at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church with Very Rev. Monsignor Mark J. Hammond VF as the Celebrant. Interment will follow the funeral in Calvary Cemetery on Mansfield Avenue in Mount Vernon.
Memorial contributions in lieu of flowers can be made to the National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care, supporting advocacy for better long-term care and residents’ rights @ https://theconsumervoice.org/donate/
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The Snyder Funeral Homes in Mount Vernon are honored to serve the family of Karen Elizabeth (Porterfield) Drabick.
Funeral Home: Snyder Funeral Homes, Flowers Chapel
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