Helga Reff

Helga Reff passed away March 1, 2026, peacefully in her home in Pensacola, FL. Born in Cuxhaven, Germany during World War II, she emigrated to the United States in 1962. Her first husband was an enlisted Sailor in the United States Navy and together they moved

about the country and the world, reporting to duty stations in Puerto Rico, Iceland, Scotland, Alaska, and Maine. She married her second husband, a naval aviator, in Pensacola in 1979 and settled here.

Helga loved Pensacola. And she loved to paint and garden, proving much better at the former than the latter. Her best-looking plants remain those on canvas. She loved sunflowers and all things yellow which suited her eternally optimistic nature. She enjoyed going to the beach, upbeat music and physical exercise, but her passion was reserved for family -- especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren. “Oma” made every effort to spend as much time with them as possible and to spoil them as much as possible.

Mrs. Reff was preceded in death by her parents, Sebald Liebhart and Mathilde Christine Wilhelmine Lafrenz; three of her four siblings, and her first husband, Stephen “Steve” Drago.

She is survived by her husband, Roger Reff; her sister, Renate Jolly; her daughters, Gina Drago and Donna Kirby; her grandchildren, Meagan McDowell, Colin Kirby, and Christine Beasley; and her great-grandchildren, Isla McDowell, Johnny McDowell and Carter Chirichello.

The family wishes to thank Vitas Hospice for their care, compassion and professionalism during this difficult time. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the American Heart Association or Pensacola Habitat for Humanity. The family will hold a celebration of Helga’s life early this summer in Pensacola.