Irene Drucker Zaptin, 75, of Ashburn, passed away peacefully at home with her family on January 24, 2025. She experienced various complications following a knee replacement surgery in November and did not recover.
Irene was born on June 6, 1949 to V. Peter and Laurette Drucker in Queens, New York. She grew up on Long Island and graduated with her Bachelor’s degree from St. Elizabeth College and her Master’s degree from Hofstra University. She married in 1971 and moved with her husband to multiple duty stations where he was deployed as a career Marine before settling down in Virginia when he retired.
Irene’s greatest joy was being a Mother to her children and Mimi to her grandchildren. Most of all, she was soulmate to her husband of 53 years whom she loved dearly. They were so connected that she often said together they equaled one whole person.
Irene was a very thoughtful and friendly individual. She was a middle school and high school Latin and English teacher for 25 years, and she then retired happily to babysit her grandchildren. When her children were younger, she cheered for them at every sporting event and activity and continued this support for her grandchildren. In retirement, she traveled to many countries with her husband and friends, took American Sign Language, played bridge, and enjoyed other social activities at her Ashby Ponds community. She treasured meeting up with friends and her siblings.
Irene was preceded in death by her mother, father, and three siblings – Paul Drucker, Christine Collier, and Cecile Banks. She is survived by her husband, Edward R. Zaptin, her two children, Jeanne Zaptin and Edward V. Zaptin, and her four grandchildren, Anna Zaptin, Melissa Zaptin, Joseph Koczara, and Edward A. Zaptin. She also is survived by her siblings, Judith Griffin, Elyse Gray and husband Donald, Peter Drucker, Thomas Drucker and wife Ann, Kathryn Krentsa and husband Jeffrey, and brother in law, Rodney Banks, along with numerous nieces and nephews.
A Mass will be held at St. Theresa Catholic Church in Ashburn on February 7, 2025 at 10am followed by a reception at Loudon Funeral Chapels in Leesburg. Internment will be held privately at Arlington National Cemetery at a future date.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.loudounfuneralchapel.com
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