November 18, 1959 - December 1, 2013
HARTWICK - Christine R. Drake, a woman who will be lovingly remembered for her kind and selfless nature, passed away unexpectedly Sunday morning, December 1, 2013, at her home in the Town of Hartwick. Known by all as Chris, she was 54.
Born November 18, 1959, at St. Luke's-Memorial Hospital in Utica, Chris was a daughter of Ralph Edward Lee and Theta E. (Decker) Lee.
Throughout her life, Chris filled many roles: "Gigi", mother, wife, sister, aunt, daughter, niece, and friend. She was like a mother to many and her home was always open to others, especially at dinner time. As a music lover, she let her "Soul Shine". She was a tireless volunteer in her never ending quest to "Pay It Forward". Chris' heart embraced all she met, she seized the moments she created, she fought for her life, she exuded strength, courage and giving. She truly believed in "Cherishing the Gift of Time" with family and friends. She lived it!
Chris left this earth "loving us all bunches".
Chris is survived by her husband of 35 years, Charles F. Drake ("Chuck") and their two sons, Charles Frederick Nelson Drake ("Charlie") and Brian Russell Drake, and two grandsons, Wyatt and Waylon Drake, all of Hartwick. She is further survived by her six siblings: Shelly D. Mather and her husband, Timothy, of Moravia, Steven C. Lee and his wife, Pat, of Moravia, Teresa J. Lee and her companion, Chris Keiser, of Scranton, Pennsylvania, Dawn M. Herzog of Moravia, Frederick Peacock of Auburn, and Tonia L. Mawson and her husband, Dan, of Fabius, as well as many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.
Chris is also survived by her mother-in-law, Ada Drake, and her husband, Grover Jeffers, of Oneonta, and four sisters-in-law, Terry Bliss and her husband, Terry, Cindy Drake, Tammy Willsey and her husband, Mike, and Linda Drake and her husband, Ashok Malhotra.
In addition to her mother, Theta, and father, Ralph, Chris was preceded in death by her father-in-law, Charles E. Drake, who died in 1995.
An Open House to celebrate Chris' life will be held at the Drake home beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday, December 7, 2013.
In memory of our dear Chris, please consider volunteering your time or donating blood.
Arrangements are under the care and guidance of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.
If you would like to send condolences to the family, send an email to Connell, Dow & Deysenroth. We will forward your comments to the family. If you would like to send flowers in memory of the deceased, contact Mohican Flowers at (607) 547-8822, or A Rose is a Rose at (607) 264-3100.
