Virginia Louise Drake, 89, a longtime Ridgefield resident, wife of the late Frederick Drake, passed away peacefully on January 1st, 2021. Mrs. Drake was in Yonkers, NY, on May 26, 1931, to Clarence E. and Susan (Reilly) Ruppert. Affectionately known as “Gini “, Mrs. Drake attended schools in Tuckahoe, NY, and graduated from St. Gabriel’s High School of New Rochelle, NY in 1949. Upon graduation, Gini worked as a secretary for Collier’s Publishing in midtown Manhattan, as well as the Nestle Corporation in White Plains. Gini then met Frederick Drake of Greenwich, CT, and the two were united in marriage in April of 1958. A resident of Ridgefield since 1965 coming from Greenwich, Gini put down deep roots in Ridgefield while she continued to grow and nurture her family; spending over 50 years in her beloved town of Ridgefield. Gini’s home on East Ridge Road in Ridgefield was constantly teeming with life as it was a revolving door of family and friends coming and going. She loved walking around town, spending time at the Ridgefield Library, and attending mass at St. Mary Church where she was a member. Gini was an avid reader, radio listener, and longtime Meals on Wheels volunteer. She was touched by many and will be greatly missed by all those who knew her. As the matriarch of the Drake clan, Gini is survived by her five sons: John (Pam) of Redding, Matt (Gina) of Stratford, Mike (Joanne) of Brookfield, Pete of Danbury, and Chris (Irene) of Bethel; a sister in law, Terry; twelve grandchildren, Jack, Joe, Mike, Jenny, Fred, Steve, Amanda, Kyle, Shelby, Kiely, and Addison as well as seven great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband and parents, Mrs. Drake was predeceased by a granddaughter Sandy, a brother Clarence, and by a daughter in law Pat. The family would like to extend a thank you to the staff at Hancock Hall of Danbury, where Gini spent her final year in good hands. Due to the concerns about social gatherings affecting us all at this time, there will be no calling hours and all funeral services will be private for the immediate family. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Meals on Wheels, Ballard Green, 25 Gilbert Street, Ridgefield 06877.
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