Katrina Draves Chinni
March 6, 1948 ~ September 28, 2023 (age 75) 75 Years Old
Tribute
Katrina Draves Chinni
It is with a saddened heart that we announce the passing of our beloved Katrina Draves Chinni, who left us too soon on September 28, 2023 at the age of 75. Katrina (Trina) was born in Bogota, Columbia on March 6, 1948 to Edna Mae Hunsburger and Carl Zeno Draves Jr. She was a big sister to Gail, Tammy, and Carl Francis who she is survived by. Trina moved to Akron, Ohio at the age of 14. She graduated from FireStone High School and went on to Ohio University where she majored in Spanish. Trina met her husband, Fred, in Put-in-Bay, Ohio where he was stationed in the Coast Guard. They were married on July 18, 1970 in Coneaut, Ohio. Trina and Fred traveled the world, living in Guam, South Pacific, Key West, FL., Estartit, Spain, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, and finally settling down in Miami, FL. Trina gave birth to her one and only daughter, Brandy Draves Chinni, on August 27, 1979.
Trina made a career as a high school Spanish Teacher and Dean of Discipline at South Dade Sr. High in Homestead, FL. Trina was active in the community over the years working with the Girl Scouts, the People to People Student Ambassador Program, and was an Assistant Swim Coach and UTD Stuwart for South Dade Sr. High. Trina enjoyed scuba diving, reading good books, traveling, and she was an avid Harley Davidson motorcycle rider. Additionally, in her retirement she enjoyed playing canasta and mahjong with her friends and attending her book club and other events with the New Neighbors.
Trina believed in the strength of family. She is survived by her husband and the love of her life, Frederick James Chinni. They were married for 53 wonderful years. He was her rock and tender heart, and she was his creative, adventurous, intellectual. Through thick and thin they built a life together filled with adventure, love, friendship and laughter.
Her daughter, Brandy Draves Chinni Ellison, who she shared an extremely close mother/daughter relationship with, would talk almost daily about life, give each other advise, and share in constant laughs. Her son in law, Christopher Jay Ellison, whom she enjoyed having deep discussions with about society, politics, and hearing stories of the Miami Dade Police Department. Trina was extremely proud of Brandy and Chris’s accomplishments both personally and professionally. She was a proud Mom who liked to brag about her kids, and they always sought out her opinion and perspective on big life decisions.
Her two grandsons, Jake Logan Ellison and Troy Christopher Ellison, who she loved to the moon and back. Nanny made a point to listen to them, teach them about the world and life, instill a love of learning and reading in them, encourage them in their own strengths and above all, love them.
The family welcomes you to Katrina’s Celebration of Life at the Stanfill Funeral Home in Pinecrest, FL on November 4, 2023, between 1:00pm and 5:00pm. We ask that everyone come in casual attire with bright lively colors as it was Trina’s wish to CELEBRATE her life and not her passing. There will be an open mic for those who wish to share a fond memory and/or funny time with her.
It is with a saddened heart that we announce the passing of our beloved Katrina Draves Chinni, who left us too soon on September 28, 2023 at the age of 75. Katrina (Trina) was born in Bogota, Columbia on March 6, 1948 to Edna Mae Hunsburger and Carl Zeno Draves Jr. She was a big sister to Gail, Tammy, and Carl Francis who she is survived by. Trina moved to Akron, Ohio at the age of 14. She graduated from FireStone High School and went on to Ohio University where she majored in Spanish. Trina met her husband, Fred, in Put-in-Bay, Ohio where he was stationed in the Coast Guard. They were married on July 18, 1970 in Coneaut, Ohio. Trina and Fred traveled the world, living in Guam, South Pacific, Key West, FL., Estartit, Spain, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, and finally settling down in Miami, FL. Trina gave birth to her one and only daughter, Brandy Draves Chinni, on August 27, 1979.
Trina made a career as a high school Spanish Teacher and Dean of Discipline at South Dade Sr. High in Homestead, FL. Trina was active in the community over the years working with the Girl Scouts, the People to People Student Ambassador Program, and was an Assistant Swim Coach and UTD Stuwart for South Dade Sr. High. Trina enjoyed scuba diving, reading good books, traveling, and she was an avid Harley Davidson motorcycle rider. Additionally, in her retirement she enjoyed playing canasta and mahjong with her friends and attending her book club and other events with the New Neighbors.
Trina believed in the strength of family. She is survived by her husband and the love of her life, Frederick James Chinni. They were married for 53 wonderful years. He was her rock and tender heart, and she was his creative, adventurous, intellectual. Through thick and thin they built a life together filled with adventure, love, friendship and laughter.
Her daughter, Brandy Draves Chinni Ellison, who she shared an extremely close mother/daughter relationship with, would talk almost daily about life, give each other advise, and share in constant laughs. Her son in law, Christopher Jay Ellison, whom she enjoyed having deep discussions with about society, politics, and hearing stories of the Miami Dade Police Department. Trina was extremely proud of Brandy and Chris’s accomplishments both personally and professionally. She was a proud Mom who liked to brag about her kids, and they always sought out her opinion and perspective on big life decisions.
Her two grandsons, Jake Logan Ellison and Troy Christopher Ellison, who she loved to the moon and back. Nanny made a point to listen to them, teach them about the world and life, instill a love of learning and reading in them, encourage them in their own strengths and above all, love them.
The family welcomes you to Katrina’s Celebration of Life at the Stanfill Funeral Home in Pinecrest, FL on November 4, 2023, between 1:00pm and 5:00pm. We ask that everyone come in casual attire with bright lively colors as it was Trina’s wish to CELEBRATE her life and not her passing. There will be an open mic for those who wish to share a fond memory and/or funny time with her.
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