Rita Emila Drake

Rita Emila Neukamm Drake left her earthly body on May 28th surrounded by her family in Glenville NY. She was born in Saddle River Township, Bergen County, New Jersey on October 29, 1938. Her family relocated to Greenville (Earlton), NY where she grew up, attended and graduated from Greenville High School. After her marriage to Donald DeGiovine, the couple and their daughters, moved to Auburn, NY and she later settled in Skaneateles NY, after marrying Richard Drake.

Rita was employed by and retired from the Auburn City School District, after working there for 26 years, from 1970 to 1996. "Mrs D" held a special place in the hearts of the Auburn High School Class of 1974 and it was said by many that she was instrumental in getting them to graduation. She loved to engage with youth. Rita was a formidable presence to all who knew her. Whether she was Rita, Mrs D, Mom, Grandy or Great Grandy, she was sure to impress with her love for others, her generosity, quick wit, intellect and of course her culinary abilities. She was an advocate to many, and her compassion flowed for others, especially those less fortunate than she.

Post retirement Rita was an entertainer of guests from around the globe as the proprietor of the Whispering Winds Motel in Skaneateles, NY. She was a believer in community and became a member of the Skaneateles Chamber of Commerce. She organized the Town of Sennett Senior Citizens Group and brought fun times to many. She also worked at the Cayuga County Board of Elections as an organizer of volunteers. To her family, Rita was the most amazing example of strength that we might ever see. Her medical challenges were formidable but she was unstoppable. She was what we, in our family, call "Oma Strong".

As a result of her resolve, Rita was blessed to see the arrival of Audrey, Mia, Alessia and Sophie, her beautiful great grandchildren. Family was most important to her. Rita is survived by her daughters, Barbara Fenton (Greg Tuttle), Diane DeGiovine (Fred Bush), Grandchildren, Nicholas Fenton (Abbey Olenick), Chelsea Bush (Eric Vieau), Kyle Fenton (Michelle Benevento) and Alexander Bush as well as her great grandchildren, Audrey and Sophie Vieau, Mia Fenton and Alessia Fenton. She was predeceased by her husband, Richard Drake and her parents, Emil and Paula Neukamm and sisters Irene Erdody and Ilsa Pehnert.

Special thanks to all the wonderful angels at Glendale Home (Dutch Hollow) that loved Rita. You know who you are and we are forever grateful for your kindness and compassion.

A visitation will be held from 1:30pm 2pm at New Comer Cremations & Funerals, 181 Troy Schenectady Rd., Watervliet, NY 12189. A memorial service will begin at 2pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Glendale Home of Schenectady Activities Department, 59 Hetcheltown Rd, Schenectady, NY 12302.

To leave a special message for the family online please visit NewComerAlbany.com