Obituary of Mary M. Drake

CANISTEO: Mary M. Drake, 83, of Maple St. passed away Friday evening December 18, 2020 at her home from a brief illness. Mary was born April 23, 1937 in Hornell to the late Alex and Mary Rita (Kieff) Brown. On September 24, 1955, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Rexville, she married Lyle R. Drake who predeceased her in November of 2001. She was also predeceased by two sisters, Anna Marie Streeter and Jennie Coddington and infant brother Paul Joseph Brown. Mary was a graduate of Greenwood Central School class of 1955. She was a lifelong resident of the Canisteo Valley where she and Lyle raised their children. She also found time to work as a sales clerk at various retail stores in the area. Mary loved to garden and was an avid yard-sale enthusiast and was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who cherished the time spent with her family. Mary is survived by two sons: Lyle Robert (Penny) Drake, Jr. of Eldred, Pa., Richard (Shannon) Drake of Dayton, Ohio, six daughters: Anita (Lawrence) Richards, of Norfolk, Sheri (Robert) Furlong of Hornell, Theresa (Bryan) Woodworth of Hartsville, Sheila (Gary) Zapata of Cameron, Christina Gerhart of Coudersport, Pa. and Mary Anne (Dennis) Pettit of Rochester. 19 Grandchildren and 30 Great-grandchildren. She is also survived by five sisters, Louise Ahearn, Betty (Ralph) Empson, Margaret O’Rourke, Alexis (Ned) Cole and Rosetta (Douglas) Greaney, brothers-in-law Robert Streeter and Darold Coddington, a great aunt, Betty Lewis and several nieces and nephews. There will be no public calling hours or visitation. A private Catholic Mass will be at the convenience of the family at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Rexville. Burial will be in the Greenwood Cemetery, Greenwood, NY. A celebration of life for additional family and friends will be scheduled at a later date. Memorial contributions in Mary’s name may be made to St. Mary’s Rosary and Alter Society in Rexville, c/o Our Lady of the Valley, 27 Erie Ave. Hornell, NY 14843.