Lifelong Aberdeen resident, Mary May (Alviar) Drake passed away early Saturday morning, January 20, 2024. She was to turn 90 in February.
She was born February 23, 1934, in Aberdeen, Washington, at the old St. Joseph Hospital, to Nicasio Ruiz Alviar Sr., who immigrated from Laoag, Il Locos Norte Philippines in 1926, and Freida May (Tuttle) Alviar. She was the eldest of five siblings. Mary was proud of her Filipino heritage and didn’t hesitate to tell everyone she encountered “I don’t look my age because of my Filipino blood.”
Mary May (as she was known to her childhood friends) was raised in Aberdeen and attended St. Mary Catholic School graduating from 8th grade in 1948, where she made many life-long friends. Mary credits her love of reading to her first-grade teacher, Sr. Pauline, who had an extensive library where she was allowed to check out as many books as she could read.
As a teenager, Mary May worked at St Joseph Hospital (where her father was the cook) in the laundry room with her Uncle Tito. Her first uniform was made from polyester, but she found it to be too hot. With her first paycheck Mary purchased a cotton uniform which made working in the laundry room tolerable. Mary was proud of the money she made while working at the hospital because it made it possible for her to buy her own clothes, which helped the family.
She continued her education at Weatherwax High School, graduating from Weatherwax in 1952. While in high school, Mary was a member of the Council of Girls and Leaderettes serving as Vice President her senior year, she was in the Choir serving as Secretary her senior year, she was a member of the Madrigal Singers her senior year, and a member of Tri-Hi-Y. After high school she attended Grays Harbor College taking secretarial courses.
She married Warren Simeon Drake Sr. in Aberdeen, Washington, on January 8th, 1955. Warren passed away on March 11, 2017. Mary loved telling the story of how she and Warren met at the age of 14 when he moved into the neighborhood.
Once her three children were in school Mary started working as a teachers aid at St. Mary School. In 1967 she was asked to be the school secretary. She stayed in this position until her retirement for a combined 34 years. In 1999, the year she retired, the school started a scholarship in her name – The Mary Drake Scholarship Fund. This fund continues to provide tuition assistance to hundreds of St. Mary School students who otherwise would not be able to attend. Mary always said she had the best job in the world. Many students remembered her years after she retired.
Mary loved to travel. She traveled to Alaska, Hawaii, Oregon, California, Nevada, New Mexico, Arizona and Texas. Her farthest trip was to Bulgaria.
During retirement Mary stayed active volunteering at St. Mary School Octoberfest, planning her high school reunions, playing bingo, knitting, reading, working on word search books and taking care of Warren Sr. until his death. She also enjoyed playing cards with her siblings and outings to various casinos, and once a month — Drake night out with her children, their spouses and grandchildren.
In 2010 Mary became ill with a high fever. It soon became apparent that the fever had caused short-term memory loss. As a result, she was no longer able to care for her husband, Warren. He was moved to assisted living and then eventually a nursing home. Mary faithfully visited Warren almost every single day. During this 10-year period, she resided with her eldest daughter, Debra and son-in-law, David. When the pandemic hit, she moved in with her “other” daughter, Pamela, and son-in-law, Daniel. Over the past two years her daughters shared Mary, or as they lovingly joked had “joint custody.” This time was so precious to all of them.
Mary is survived by daughters Debra (David) Windell, Pamela (Daniel) Baer, and son, Warren Drake Jr; grandchildren Billiant and Simeon Baer; and Ty, Shamus and Alexa Drake; her sisters Gwen (Roger) Keller, Clara (Sam) Moody and brother Nick (Shari Denzer) Alviar. She leaves behind numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her loving parents Nicasio and Freida Alviar, brother Gary Alviar, son in-law David Gylland, daughter in-law Michele Drake, and her beloved husband Warren Drake Sr., who she missed dearly every day since his passing.
Mary often mentioned that she had a good life. “I had the best parents, the best husband, and was blessed with three beautiful children and five beautiful grandchildren. What more could I ask for?”
Mary was a lifelong member of St. Mary Catholic Church. Please join the family for a Rosary at 11:30 a.m., followed by a Funeral Mass at Noon, Friday, February 23, 2024, Mary’s 90th birthday, at St. Mary Catholic Church, 306 E. Third St, Aberdeen. A reception to follow at St Mary Parish Hall. Private interment will be at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, Mary has requested donations in her memory be made to The Mary Drake Scholarship Fund, St Mary School, 518 North H St, Aberdeen, WA 98520, or The Aberdeen Timberland Library, 121 East Market St, Aberdeen, WA 98520.
