Marilyn Elizabeth Drake

DRAKE Marilyn Elizabeth Drake, age 83, of Upper Arlington, passed away Wednesday, March 30, 2011 at Riverside Methodist Hospital. She was born August 31, 1927 in Columbus, Ohio, the daughter of late Floyd Alwood and Norma Elizabeth (Purdy) Black. A devoted mother and grandmother, affectionately known as "Mama", Marilyn, Lyn, is survived by her children, Molly Jeanne Drake and husband, Jock Wick of Chapel Hill, NC, Philip Bennett Drake Jr. and wife, Lisa Metzger Drake, and Peter Alwood Drake and wife, Cathy Lammers Drake, all of Upper Arlington; grandchildren, Ryan C. Wells, Jeffrey D. Wells, Missy E. Wells, Philip B Drake III, Zachary R. Drake, Alexander B. Drake, Lauren T. Drake and Jared P. Drake and step-grandchildren, Evin E. Wick and Glen W. Wick; brother, Richard O. and wife, Peggy Black; brother-in-law, Donald C. Graves; several nieces and nephews and many, many friends. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Philip Bennett Drake Sr. and sister Joanne Graves. Marilyn was a graduate of Columbus North High School and The Ohio State University, where she was a member of Pi Beta Phi Sorority. She was a member of St. Mark's Episcopal Church, a Docent of the Columbus Museum of Art, and a member of Childhood League Assisting Board V. Marilyn was a passionate artist who loved to paint family portraits and landscapes. She was an active member of Scioto Country Club Ladies Gold tennis team and later the Ladies Nine Holer's. Her passions also included gardening, travel, reading as well as weekly dinners and bridge with her friends but her family was most important to her. She loved life and loved to laugh. Friends may call 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Friday at SCHOEDINGER NORTHWEST CHAPEL, 1740 Zollinger Road. Funeral Service will be held 10 a.m. Saturday, April 2, 2011 at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 2151 Dorset Road, with The Rev. Bruce Smith officiating. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made for stroke research to The Ohio State University, Department of Neurology, 395 W. 12th Avenue, 7th Floor, Columbus, OH 43210 or Melanoma Research Foundation, 1411 K St., #500, Washington D.C., 20005, in her memory.