Judith Ann Drake

Judith Ann Drake was born on January 2, 1952, in Elmira, New York, and passed peacefully on January 26, 2026, in Bend, Oregon, surrounded by her immediate family, at age 74.

Judi is survived by her devoted husband of 49 years, Dan Drake; her son, James Drake, of Sacramento, California; her daughter, Erica Farrell, and son-in-law, Brett Farrell, of Bend, Oregon; her cherished granddaughters, Bailey and Sydney; extended family; and many dear friends. She was preceded in death by her father, James William Schwartz (1927-2009), her mother, Anita Jacqueline Botnick (1929-2011), and her brother, Michael Irwin Schwartz (1947-1980).

Before chronic illness changed the course of her life, Judi was an energetic and caring mother, wife, and member of the community in Yreka, California, where she and Dan made their home, beginning in 1978.

Judi's childhood included time in Princeton, New Jersey, Phoenix, Arizona, and the Chicago area, where she graduated from Lyons Township High School. Summer trips to visit family in the Finger Lakes were among her fondest childhood memories.

Around 1971, Judi moved to Davis, California, to be closer to her older brother, Michael, where she enrolled in early childhood education courses-first at Solano Community College, and later at UC Davis. In Davis, she made enduring friendships and spent time in nature with her dog, Chance, an early instance of her lifelong enjoyment of nature and dogs.

It was during this time that she met Dan. Their partnership was immediate and joyful, built on shared adventures, humor, and an eagerness to start a family and life together. They married on December 19, 1976, in Soda Springs, California.

Yreka became the place where Judi put down roots and never looked back, volunteering with Siskiyou County Head Start, Court Appointed Special Advocates, Gold Street School, Yreka Community Theater, Madrone Hospice, and later working as a substitute teacher. As pleasant and courteous as she was capable, leadership positions for new volunteer efforts often came her way, and although she never sought them, she seldom refused requests for her help.

Judi's creative and theatrical sides came out in the form of crafts, costumes, cakes, and confections, as well as countless improvised songs, poems, and dance sessions, most often performed in the kitchen, to an audience of her dogs and children. She was also active and outdoorsy, whether skiing, swimming, exhibiting her gymnastic skills on the trampoline, riding her rambunctious horse Camelot, or camping in the family trailer. Summer trips to Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park became a sacred tradition.

In 1998, at age 46, Judi was diagnosed with Churg-Strauss Syndrome, a rare autoimmune disease that would dramatically limit her independence for her remaining 28 years, which she took on with characteristic positivity, gratitude, and faith in God.

Despite her debilitating illness, Judi traveled when she could, fulfilling lifelong dreams including trips to Australia, Alaska, Niagara Falls, and London, and she lived to see milestones once thought unreachable: her children's graduations, her daughter's wedding, and the births of her two granddaughters.

When asked later in life what the best decision she ever made was, she answered unhesitatingly: having children. She will be missed by all who knew her.

Judi volunteered with Madrone Hospice, in Yreka, and later relied on their support when her beloved father, Jim, spent his final days at home with her. Years later, St. Charles Hospice, in Bend, provided similarly compassionate support at the end of Judi's life. In lieu of flowers, the family invites those who wish to honor Judi's memory to donate in her name to:

Madrone Hospice

255 Collier Circle

Yreka, CA 96097

madronehospice.org

St. Charles Hospice

2275 NE Doctors Drive

Bend, OR 97701

stcharleshealthcare.org

Siskiyou Humane Society

1208 N. Mt. Shasta Blvd

Mount Shasta, CA 96067

siskiyouhumane.org

Judi did not want a funeral or burial, but did want her friends and family to be together to share in some of her favorite stories, poetry, and music, in remembrance and celebration. In lieu of an in-person gathering, the family invites loved ones to sign the guest book and/or reach out to a family member with a current address so they can receive a forthcoming printed memorial.

My Horse

by Judi Drake

Up the mountainside, together we fly,

on Camelot's back, into the sky.

Stopping here at God's front door-

to peace and love forever more.