Joanne Stricos

Joanne (Drago) Stricos

65, of Las Vegas, Nevada, went silently into the night on May 19, 2026 after a 5-year battle with Parkinson’s Disease. Daughter of predeceased parents, Joe and Connie Drago, she is survived by her beloved husband and caregiver, Michael Stricos, a sister, the Honorable Karen Drago (Armando), a godmother (Aunt) Pat Drago and many nieces, nephews and cousins. She was also predeceased by her sister, Barbara Dingman (Doug).

A longtime Schenectady resident, she was a graduate of Linton High School and Hudson Valley Community College. She was previously employed as a legal secretary for her father and sister, was a longtime employee of the Capital District Regional Off-Track Betting Corporation, and JCPenney at Crossgates Mall and in Las Vegas, and finally at the Wynn Resort on the Las Vegas Strip, where she eventually retired as a ticket writer in their Race and Sports Book.

She loved her 16 years in Las Vegas with its 9 months of pool weather. She attended countless shows, dined in numerous restaurants and especially enjoyed going to the many casinos. She also enjoyed trips to the Grand Canyon, Death Valley, Zion National Park-Utah, California and the Hawaiian Islands.

Those who knew her will remember her infectious smile, contagious laugh, her loyalty to family and friends and her work ethic.

A Celebration of Joanne’s Life will take place first in Las Vegas, NV at Kraft-Sussman Funeral Home.

A Celebration of Life will then be held locally, for beloved family and friends to remember Joanne, on Tuesday, June 16th, 2026, from 6 – 8 PM, at DeMarco-Stone Funeral Home, 1605 Helderberg Avenue, Schenectady, NY.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the Parkinson’s Foundation, at 200 SE 1st Street, Suite 800, Miami Florida, 33131, Attention Donor Services.

Interment will be held privately.

May her memory be eternal.