Wellsville, NY – Eileen Margaret Drake, 75, of First Avenue, passed away on Friday, June 7, 2024, at Wellsville Manor Care Center. She was born August 2, 1948, in Rochester, NY the daughter of the late Frederic Charles and Rose Ella (Ames) Ambrose. On November 8, 1980, in St. Brendan’s Church of Almond, NY she married Guy Irving Drake, who survives.
Eileen was raised in Rochester, where she graduated from Our Lady of Mercy High School in 1966. She continued her education at St. James Nursing School, graduating in 1970 as a Registered Nurse. She was then called by her faith to join the cloth and was sent by the church first to Missouri, and later Baltimore, MD. In 1979 she returned to nursing, when she was urged by her best friend Linda Campbell to move to Hornell, and work for St. James Hospital. Linda would also introduce Eileen to her future husband. In 1980, Eileen and Guy married, and Eileen became a homemaker and avid participant in her children’s lives, ensuring their participation in countless activities including story hour at the library, swim lessons, and youth sports. Once her children were independent, she returned to nursing and served Wellsville Central School District as an at-need school nurse. Outside of her employment, she was a lector, eucharistic minister, and the Director of Religious Education at St. Brendan and St. Jude Parish, on the M.S. Walk committee, a boy scout mother (leading her three sons to Eagle Scout) and volunteered at the Hart House until 2020 when she had to retire due to her health. She enjoyed traveling, camping, and her greatest joy was her family.
In addition to her husband of 43 years, Guy, she is survived by: four children, Matthew David (Christine) Drake of Fairport, Michelle Diane Drake of Wellsville, Brian Andrew (Clarissa) Drake of Lima, and Gregory Allen Drake of Wellsville; ten grandchildren, Brisa Drake, Jason Huff-Drake, Adaline Drake, Addison Huff-Drake, Kylie Drake, Mason McKinley, Evan McKinley, Jack Drake, Rory Drake, and Remi Drake; sister, Katherine Ambrose of Rochester; siblings-in-law, Lexi Ambrose of Leeds, AL and Jerry (Kathy) Drake of Almond, as well as several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by an infant son, Eric David Drake in 1982, and brother Richard Ambrose in 2011.
Friends are invited to call on Saturday, June 15, 2024, from 10 – 11 am at the Immaculate Conception Church of Wellsville, 36 Maple Avenue. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11 am in the church. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery.
Please consider memorial donations to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, 322 8th Avenue, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10001; or to the Allegany County Comfort House, 141 E. State Street, Wellsville, NY 14895.
To leave online condolences please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com
