Delores Drake's Obituary
Delores Ann Drake (née DeGroat), aged 86, passed away peacefully in Tacoma, Washington, on March 13, 2026. Born in Cherry Ridge, Pennsylvania, on February 19, 1940, she was the daughter of Howard and Mildred (Sullivan) DeGroat. Delores spent her formative years in Pennsylvania, which fostered her resilience, and at seventeen, she set out across the country, eventually making her home in Washington State.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her younger brother Thomas Edward DeGroat (who died in 1989), her sons Chester and Samuel, as well as her grandson David Seely. Delores was renowned for her unwavering determination, gracefully facing life’s challenges.
Her legacy lives on through her daughters and their spouses—Ruth (Michael) Hamilton and Elizabeth (Herbert) Edmond—her grandchildren Christopher, Trishia Knerr, Jesse Knerr, Roxanne Standen, and Jennifer Mitchell, along with nine great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. She is also survived by siblings Stephen (Jane), Richard (Barb), and Mary Jean DeGroat; sister-in-law Jamie Morin; a large extended family of nephews, nieces, cousins, and numerous friends. Family members fondly remember her sense of humor.
Delores enjoyed simple pleasures such as reading, watching television, and socializing with friends—an activity she jokingly referred to as “hanging out with the fella’s.” These moments added brightness to her life. Her adventurous nature and consistent kindness have left a lasting impression on all who knew her, ensuring her memory endures. May she rest in eternal peace.
Written & Edited by Cindy Ultican
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