Obituary of Hon. Georgette N Drake

LITTLE FALLS – The Honorable Georgette Newman Drake, 94 a former City of Little Falls Judge passed away on Wednesday, October 31, 2018 at the Folts Home, Herkimer, NY where she had been a resident since February of 2013. She was born on December 8, 1923 in Manhattan, NY the daughter of the late George Pryor and Elsa (Benczur) Newman. Mrs. Drake was educated in New York City public schools, graduating from the Julia Richman School for girls in 1941. She graduated from Hunter College, New York City in 1944. For one year she attended Goucher College in Baltimore, MD. She received her law degree from Columbia University, New York City. Passing her Bar Exam on the first test. For many years she worked for the Parker, Chapin and Flattau Law Firm in New York City. On August 7, 1968 she was united in marriage to Ormond J. Drake, a professor at New York University and a TV host of “The Way We Go” for WCBS in Manhattan. The Drakes retired to upstate New York, first to Fort Plain from 1972-1976 and to Little Falls in 1976 until present. Dr. Drake predeceased her on June 3, 1996. Mrs. Drake served as Judge for the City of Little Falls from 1978 - 1981. She was twice appointed to a 7 year term as a director for the Herkimer County Community College Foundation. She also served as a member of the Board of Directors of Little Falls Hospital for 33 years and served as an advocate of Little Falls Hospital joining the Bassett Healthcare Network, stepping down from that position in 2010, She was the first woman member of the Little Falls Civic club and a member of the Herkimer County Bar Association. She is survived by her nephew Rev. Richard Parker and his wife Darla, Pasco, WA, a grandniece Angela Parker and grandnephew David Parker, both of California and her indispensable friend Charles. She was predeceased by her sister Gloria Parker in 1997. Graveside services will be held at the convenience of the family where she will eternally reside in Rural Park Cemetery, Inghams Mills, NY between her husband and sister. In lieu of flowers it is the wish of the family that contributions in memory of Mrs. Drake be considered to the Little Falls Hospital, 140 Burwell St., Little Falls, NY 13365. Envelopes are also available at the funeral home for this purpose. Arrangements are by the Chapman-Moser Funeral Home, Inc., 42 N. Ann Street, Little Falls. The family would like extend their since appreciation to the staff of the Folts Home for their kindness, care and compassion shown to Mrs. Drake over the years.