Hertha Drake

Hertha Drake of Vero Beach, Fla., formerly of Flanders, N.Y., became an angel on Jan. 7, 2023, at the age of 97.

Hertha was born in September of 1925 in Austria, where she met her future husband, Edgar Drake, who was serving in the Air Force. He gave her money to come to America but it wasn’t enough. Hertha started translating and helping families get to London from Austria and earned enough to fly to America in 1947, when she then married Edgar and earned her citizenship the same year. 

Edgar and Hertha owned and operated Island Outboards in Flanders, where Hertha continued to own and operate it even after Edgar’s death in 1967. After selling the business, Hertha worked for Strong’s Marine for 27 years before retiring.

Hertha loved baking (especially Christmas cookies!), crocheting, knitting, traveling, playing penny slots, gardening, reading and being at the senior center with her many friends.

Hertha is survived by her only daughter, Irene Drake, and Irene’s life partner, Wesley Droskoski, who currently reside in Florida. She was loved by her many friends and extended family members, including Amy and Bryant Hall and their children, Carmen, Jackson and Charlie Hall; her lifelong friend Sally Thompson; along with Melissa, Herbie, Skyler and Allie Ubbens.

The family will receive visitors Friday, Jan. 13, from 10 a.m. to noon at Tuthill-Mangano Funeral Home in Riverhead, with funeral services following at noon. Interment will take place at Flanders Cemetery.

This is a paid notice.