Mariana Rodica Dragu was born March 3, 1955, in Caransebes, Romania, to Toma and Ana Tantu.
She was the third of five children, sister to Nuti, Nicoalae, Nina, and Ani.
She was baptized when she was 17 years old at Biserica Penticostala in Caransebeș.
In Romania, she graduated high school in 1974 and begin working as a clerk at IFET. It was in character with her enthusiasm for order.
Mariana married Pavel Dragu Aug. 5, 1979. During the next eight years, she and Pavel had four children. In March 1988, the Dragu family emigrated to the United States, to Atlanta, Georgia. The couple had three more children.
Mariana was a fiercely dedicated mother and wife. She exerted nearly all her energy in care of her family. Her love was unconditional. There was no sin too great, no offense too deep, that could cause her to love less. She had no fear, no selfish ambition that stood between her and her loved ones. She gave everything she had to ensure her family never lacked the support and love of a mother and wife.
Once grown, she lured her children in back home by way of her delicious cuisine, her chicken soup, sarmale, carnati, creamy mashed potatoes, turnip green and cauliflower salads, deviled eggs, stuffed peppers, tiramisu, and upside-down pineapple cake. And after she cleared the table, she’d break out the containers and fill them up with leftovers, sending everyone off with a piece of home, another reminder of her love.
As her friends and family know, Mariana loved cleanliness and orderliness. The house was spotless, always. The floor was vacuumed regularly, the floors swept daily. Clothes were washed and stacked in categories. There was not a sock or shirt she didn’t know to whom it belonged. There wasn’t a magazine or piece of mail that didn’t have a place.
When she wasn’t working or spending time with her family, Maria liked to read the Bible, go to church, garden, keep up with Romanian news, and watch sermons on YouTube. She had a beautiful operatic voice, which blessed anyone within its range. She was a member of First Romanian Baptist Church and Philadelphia Romanian Church, where she sang in the choir. Among the topics she discussed and listened to most were preparation for the Lord’s return. Be ready, she liked to say.
On Aug. 19, 2020, the Lord called Mariana and she joined her Savior Jesus Christ after losing a battle to COVID-19 complications.
Maria leaves behind a husband, Pavel Dragu; seven children, Paul, Claudiu, Silviu, Daniel, Alex, Alin, and Kristine Dragu; four daughter-in-laws, Cynthia, Adri, Janee and Teresa Dragu; as well as five grandchildren, Catherine, Kayla, Haley, Liam, and Lucas, all Dragus.
She leaves behind a legacy of dedication, loyalty and love. She will be immensely missed.