Obituary of Christine V. Drake

NEW HARTFORD/PISECO – Mrs. Christine V. “Chris” Drake, age 77, a resident of New Hartford and Piseco Lake, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday morning, September 30, 2020, in the privacy and comfort of her home. Born on October 9, 1942, Christine was the daughter of the late Samuel and Jane (Jankowski) Roman. She was raised and educated in Albany, graduating from local schools. On October 5, 1963, Christine was wed to Glen F. Drake and together the couple shared in almost fifty-seven years of marriage. Together, they worked hard, raised their family and shared in a lifetime of friends, family, love and laughter. Christine spent many years in the role of housewife and stay-at-home mother, raising her children and keeping up the family home. She also worked for various entities throughout the area, most notably as the cook and caretaker at the Blessed Sacrament Rectory in Utica. As the consummate wife, mother and grandmother, nothing gave Chris greater pleasure than gathering her family together for holidays, meals, her famous meatballs and a challenging game of Scrabble! She loved her time spent at the family camp on Piseco Lake and the noise, laughter and camaraderie of her beloved family was her greatest pleasure. Christine was always devout in her Catholic faith, attending mass for many years at the former Blessed Sacrament Parish, and more recently at Our Lady of Lourdes. She was committed to her Tuesday night rosary group, which she looked forward to and rarely missed. Her faith and love for family will be her lasting legacy. She is survived by her beloved husband, Glen; her sons and daughters-in-law, James and Susan Drake and John and Sherry Drake, all of New Hartford; her daughter, Jennifer Drake-Deese and husband, Kent of Keene, New Hampshire; her grandchildren, Samantha and Sean Wahl, James Drake, Jr, Ryan Drake, J.T. Drake, Isabella Drake, Bowden Drake-Deese and Tanner Drake-Deese; her brother and sister-in-law, Stanley and Mary Roman of Connecticut; her sister, Mary Jane Roman of Albany; along with several nieces, nephews and in-laws. She was predeceased by her sister and brother-in-law, Natalie and Donald Morin and by her great-nephew, Sammy Gilbert. A special thank you is extended to Christine’s doctors, Dr. Raja and Dr. Pachikara, as well as to Edwards Ambulance, for the care and compassion shown to her over the years. Friends and relatives are invited to attend Christine’s funeral service and Celebration of Life which will commence on Thursday morning, October 8, 2020 at 10:00AM at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Utica, where her Funeral Mass will be offered by Rev. Joseph Salerno, Pastor. We kindly ask the cooperation and patience of guests as we adhere to current health guidelines and restrictions. Social distancing will be enforced, contact tracing will be in effect and all attendees will be required to wear a mask. Final committal will take place at Higgins Bay Cemetery in Arietta, NY, at the convenience of the family. The Drake family has entrusted Chris’ final wishes to the Enea & Ciaccia Family Funeral Home, 4309 Acme Road, Town of Frankfort, Ilion, NY (315) 894-8000, Harry and Kevin Enea and Martin L. Ciaccia, Funeral Directors. Online notes of sympathy may be left at www.eneafamily.com.