Drake, Catherine “Kay”, 87, Ocala, FL; in Ocala, FL, August 14, 2008.
Ocala, FL – Catherine “Kay” Drake, 87, of Ocala, FL, formerly of Somers, CT and Mapleton, ME, died Thursday, August 14, 2008, at Munroe Regional Medical Center in Ocala, FL. She was born in Newington, CT on June 5, 1921, the daughter of George and Mary (Miller) Gillette.
She was a graduate of St. Joseph Academy in West Hartford, CT, and was employed for many years as a home health aide. Kay dedicated her life to helping others through her volunteer work at Johnson Memorial Hospital (Stafford Springs, CT), Aroostook Medical Center (Presque Isle, ME), and Munroe Regional Hospital (Ocala, FL) with a special emphasis in hospice programs. Her compassion for others allowed her to excel in her work. She was an avid reader, card player, and took great joy in her friends and family.
Kay is survived by her husband, Frederick W. Drake, Sr. of Ocala, FL; her daughter, Bertha Rappe and her husband, David of Coventry, CT; her daughter, Norma Williams and her husband, Thomas of East Hartford, CT; her daughter, Mary Netolicky and her husband, Emanuel of Lancaster, SC; her son, Earle Clark, Jr. of Kemah, TX, and his wife, Donna of Crosby, TX; her daughter Jo-Ann (Drake) Caron of Presque Isle, ME and her husband, Stephen Caron, Sr. of Chapman, ME; her son, Frederick Drake, Jr. and his wife, Marianne of Chesterfield, MA; her sister, Alberta Shetensky of Manchester, CT; 15 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by five brothers, Robert, James, George, William, and Fred; and five sisters, Margaret, Louise, Georgianna, Helen, and Florence.
Funeral services for Kay was held on Thursday, August 21, 2008, at 11 a.m. at the Somers Funeral Home, 354 Main Street, Somers, CT. Burial was in Somers Center Cemetery. Relatives and friends called on Kay’s family on Wednesday evening, August 20, 2008, from 4 to 8 p.m. and then on Thursday morning prior to the service from 10 to 11 a.m. Those who wish may donate in her memory to Munroe Hospital Foundation, PO Box 4349, Ocala, FL 34472.