Persida N. Drakulich

Dr. Persida Novakovich Drakulich peacefully passed away from natural causes on Sunday, June 27, 2021 at the age of 94. Persida was born in Tonopah, Nevada, grew up in Reno, Nevada, and lived most of her life in San Diego, California. Nothing was more important to her than the people in her life. Persida was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt and close friend to many. Persida is preceded in death by her husband, Nick Joe Drakulich and her two sisters Vera Petersen and Nada Novakovich. She is survived by her sons, Mike Drakulich and Nick Drakulich (wife Bess Drakulich), her four grandsons Max Patchen (wife Claudia Patchen), Michael Sam Drakulich, Nico Drakulich (fiancé Samantha Garcia), and Bob Drakulich (wife Janeen Drakulich), and great grandchildren Tyler Patchen and Emma Drakulich. She was known as Baba to many, a title and role that she loved.

Persida was fond of saying: “If life hands you a lemon, make lemonade, but don’t forget the sweetener.” At seven years old, Persida together with her two sisters were orphaned and raised by their bachelor uncle, “Uncle Mike.” At seventeen, she joined the United States Cadet Nurse Corps during WWII. At nineteen, she met the love of her life, a naval officer, Nick Drakulich, who she was happily married to for 46 years until his passing in 1993. She received her undergraduate degree from San Diego State University and later her PhD. Persida became a school nurse at San Diego High School and later a Professor of Health Science at San Diego State University. For 32 years, Persida directed the school health promotion/risk reduction and disease prevention programs in San Diego Unified School District as well as for the California State Department of Education in Sacramento. She developed and taught some of the first sex education courses offered in California.

In addition to her numerous publications and speaking engagements throughout her career, Persida was active in the community and became a member of numerous boards, including: the Advisory Board at Scripps Memorial Hospital, La Jolla, the President’s Council for Scripps Health Foundation, the National Advisory Board for the McDonald Center for Alcohol & Drug Treatment, the California State Attorney General's Drug Prevention Commission, the California State Attorney General's Child Abuse Prevention Commission, the City of San Diego Drug Prevention Board, the City of San Diego Neighborhood Pride and Protection Advisory Board, the City of San Diego Police Review Board, and was the Past President of the Kiwanis Club of Downtown San Diego.

With her playful personality and passion for life, Persida was known to bring joy, excitement, and warmth to whomever she encountered. Persida left behind many family members and friends who will miss her dearly. She truly added sweetener to all the lives she touched. Her memory will be eternal in their hearts.