Katherine Julia Drake

Katherine Julia Drake

October 1, 2018

Katherine Julia Drake, 73, a lifelong resident of Clarks Summit died Monday at home. She was the widow of Kenneth G. Drake who died August 7, 2014. At the time of his death, the couple who had been high school sweethearts, were married for 48 years.

Born January 20, 1945, Kathy was the daughter of the late Edmund and Julia Zigon. She was a 1963 graduate of Abington Heights High School. After graduation, she worked for Airline Petroleum and for a brief period of time, she re-located to Connecticut where she was employed by Pratt and Whitney Aircraft. Upon returning to Clarks Summit, she became a teller at PNC Bank.   She was always a hard-working and conscientious individual so later in life she ran for Council and served as treasurer. Afterwards she became the Clarks Summit Borough Tax Collector, a position she held since 2012. She was a member of Clarks Summit United Methodist Church. After the love of her life Kenny passed away, she could always be found with their pet dog, Princess, a constant companion.

Kathy loved to garden, planting both flowers and vegetables. And, she canned some of those delicious vegetables. She also loved to cook and bake making homemade bread, cookies, and cinnamon buns. If you stopped by her home during the day, you would most definitely find her listening to all types of music. She loved to dance, quilt and crochet.   Most recently she became very fond of going to Mohegan Sun with her daughter or sisters. She was truly funny and like a little kid when she was playing the penny machines and was a joy to watch. She was a loving Mother, Grandmother, sister and friend. She valued and cherished the time she spent chatting, laughing and having true quality time with her grandchildren, often giving them sage advice.

Kathy worked diligently, industriously and tirelessly doing a great amount of research and work preparing both the Zigon and Drake family tree. She wanted an accurate accounting of all family members and spent a tremendous amount of time doing just that. She was as smart as could be when it came to computers and taught herself many of the aspects of both the computer and printer and all the components related to them.

A year after the love of her life, Kenny passed away, she was diagnosed with Stage 4 non-curable cancer. As difficult as this news was, through her faith she retained a positive attitude and outlook on life, always looking forward to the future. And, she lived her life to the fullest! Kathy was a source of strength and a loyal, determined woman in all that she did.

Also surviving are a son, Darrell A Drake and wife, Kathleen, Miramar, Fla.; a daughter, Wendy Sandly and husband, Frank, Clarks Summit; five grandchildren, Caitlin and Austin Drake; and Frank, Corey and Mason Sandly; and one great Granddaugher, Kaydence Sandly; two brothers, Edmund Zigon, and Harold Zigon, and four sisters, Dorothy Cipilewski, Henrietta Bianchi and husband Joseph, Juliet Avery, and Marie Zigon. In addition, a sister in law, Donna Dailey; Ellen Beechko and husband, Andrew; and brother-in-law, Charles Drake.

The funeral will be Saturday, October 6 at 10 am at the Clarks Summit UMC, 1310 Morgan Highway, Clarks Summit, PA .

The family will receive friends on Friday from 4to 8 pm at the Lawrence E. Young Funeral Home & Cremation Svc., 418 S. State St., Clarks Summit, PA, 18411.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the American Lung Association, 3001 Gettysburg Rd., Camp Hill, PA 17011.