Obituary of Ruby J. Drake

Ruby J. Drake, age 97, of Thurston, NY died Sunday, February 1, 2015 at the Taylor Health Center, Bath, NY. She was born May 6, 1917 in Corning, NY the daughter of Charles and Mildred (Brockway) Ames. Ruby grew up in Lawrenceville, PA and was raised by her grandparents, Harley and Ethel Handy Brockway. She went to school in a one room school house, walking several miles to and from school every day. She worked for several restaurants in Corning as a waitress in the late 30's and 40's. She also worked at Corning Glass and Westinghouse. In the late 50's she operated the restaurant in the basement of the Central Hotel when it was on Baker Street. She was an animal lover and always had a cat or two and a dog. She was a member of the Campbell American Legion Auxiliary, The Risingville Methodist Church, Thurston and Campbell Senior Citizens, Thurston Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary. She could always be found with her lady friends at the Stone House Café or Savona Diner. Ruby married Shirley Delos Drake on December 11, 1949. He predeceased her in September 1987. Besides her parents and grandparents and husband, she was also predeceased by her infant son Donald Mitchel, her stepfather, Ernest "Doc" Nelson, her foster son Donald Manning Johnson; brothers and sisters in law, James Drake, Ernest and Doris Drake, Hazel Drake, Howard and Okah Hitchcock, Velma Halstead, Art Drake, Carl and Gen Drake and her cousin and best friend Ethlyn Potter. The family would like to thank the staff on Unit A at Davenport and Taylor for the compassionate care of our mother. She is survived her three children, Donna (Richard) Treat of Thurston, Donald (Kathy) Drake of Campbell and Charles (Christine) Drake of Thurston; 16 grandchildren, Tammy (Brian) Scott, Josie Giardina and Casey Schooley, Tracy (Lori) Henshaw, Jason Giardina and Amanda Herrington, Ryan Giardina and Amber Rowe, Heidi (Mike) Button, Chelsea (Matt) Hamilton, Tiffani (Ezra) Schenck, Tina (Bill) French, Jacklynn Drake, Ricky Stilts, Nicholas Sherman, Brandy Andrews and Ray Chapman, Chuckie Drake and Pam, Patricia (Bruce) Akins and Rebecca Drake and Matt Kapral, 23 great grandchildren and one on the way, 7 great great grandchildren; brothers and sisters in law, Clifford and Ruth Drake, Helen Drake, Elsie Drake and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Family and friends are invited to call on Thursday February 5, 2015 from 1:00-3:00 PM at Fagan's Funeral Home, 31 West Morris St., Bath, NY. Funeral services will follow at 3:00 pm at the funeral home with Pastor Veronica Seeley officiating. A spring burial will be in the Risingville Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial donations in her name may be made to the Risingville Methodist Church, Thurston Fire Department and the Finger Lakes SPCA.