Juanita Floy Drake

Born June 12, 1931, Juanita grew up in a large family, on a farm in Cundiyo, New Mexico. There she loved climbing nearby hills, tending to the animals, and passing the time playing with her siblings. She started her school in a one room schoolhouse, and as a teenager, carried on a treasured family tradition by weaving Chimayo blankets. Later she attended Pojoaque High School and finished her school at Menaul High School in Albuquerque.

On November 1, 1952, she married the love of her life, Harry Drake, in Santa Fe, New Mexico. They built a beautiful home and raised a strong, close-knit family, over 68 years of marriage.

Juanita dedicated much of her working life to serving others. She worked for the Employment Security Commission and the U.S. Forest Service before beginning a 20-year career with Albuquerque Public Schools. She worked at Valley High School as a secretary, which she truly loved!

Faith was always an important part of Juanita’s life. She and Harry attended their church weekly and were active members of the congregation. Both were long life members of First Presbyterian Church in Albuquerque.

Juanita found joy in the simple interactions with others and home traditions. She loved visiting and celebrating with her children and siblings, friends, extended family, and her great grandchildren, Ruby and Lucy, who brought her an immeasurable amount of happiness. Each year, she looked forward to the family’s yearly summer vacation to Glenwood Springs, Colorado, where Harry grew up. Every Fall, Juanita took part in the family gathering to peel and bag roasted chile, marveled at the hot air balloons that would fly over her home, and was thrilled to hand out candy to trick-or-treaters. She carefully kept count of how many children visited her door and enjoyed talking to the children about their creative costumes. To prepare for the Christmas holiday, she became excited to start decorating the house, addressing Christmas cards, listening to holiday music, and making sure there was enough posole, red chile, tamales, and biscochitos for the Christmas Eve dinner.

Juanita is survived by her children Brenda White, Russell Drake (Patrick), and Philip Drake (Jeff); grandson, Darren White II (Brittany); great-grandchildren, Ruby and Lucy; her sister, Florence Lesperance; sister-in-law, Lydia Vigil; brother-in-law, Jimmy Drake (Pat); and many nieces, nephews, cousins and in-laws.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Harry; parents, Pedro and Petronila Vigil; brothers, Robert Vigil and Carlos Vigil; sisters, Rebecca Vigil, Rosina Martinez, Carmelita Romero, Susie Herrera, Stella Roybal, Benina Trujillo, Bertha Vigil,

Emelinda Vigil, and Elvira Vigil; her parents-in-law, Adela and Charles Drake; her sisters-in-law, Irene Chapman and Louise Cherry; and brother-in-law, Larry Drake.

Juanita was a beautiful lady to the very end. She will forever be remembered for her sincere hospitality, warm smile, compassion, and love for others.