Obituary of Gladys Mae Drake

Gladys Mae Drake died peacefully and went to heaven on Saturday, March 27th, 2021 at Bayshore Residence and Rehabilitation due to Alzheimer’s and its complications. She had family and caregivers by her side. Gladys was born in Duluth, MN on December 19, 1929 to Lillian and James Joseph Sasser. She attended Duluth Central High School and then worked at Woolworth’s in Duluth’s Downtown Lyric Block for 17 years. While at Woolworth’s she met her future husband, Eli C. Drake, II. whom she married on September 28th, 1963. They moved to Seattle Washington where they had two children. After her husband’s passing in 1972, she moved back to Duluth with her children in 1973. Her final job was a Home Health Aide Care Giver with Senior Friends. She loved caring for people with a good “old school” work ethos. She continued to “care” for her fellow residents while at Bayshore in her final years. She was a devoted and caring mother with a gentle soul, and she also had a wicked sense of humor. Family meant everything to her including good friends and a good cup of coffee.

Gladys is preceded in death by her parents, husband, brothers; Edwin, Arthur, Robert and Howard; and most recently, her sisters-in-law, Arleen Sasser and Betty Sesser.

Gladys is survived by her children, Eli C. Drake, III (Lorri); daughter, Patricia Drake; stepdaughter, Pam Drake; grandchildren, Hannah and Sydney; nieces and nephews, and her lifelong friend, Marge Barron, who she has known as family since she was 6 years old.

The family would like to thank St. Luke’s Community Care, Duluth Hospice, and especially the Nurses and Aides at Bayshore Residence and Rehabilitation who took her in as a family member of their own.

A celebration of life will be held later this year. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Alzheimer’s Association, Minnesota-North Dakota Chapter. Interment will be at Oneota Cemetery.