Theda Temple Drake

Date of Birth

May 4, 1925

Date of Death

May 23, 2015

Theda Temple Drake was born in Owosso, MI on March 4, 1925, the daughter of Garfield Earnest Temple and Bertha McFadden Temple.

Raised in Owosso, she graduated second in her class from Owosso High School in 1943. She attended the University of Michigan on a scholarship, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education in 1948.

While at the University of Michigan, she met Larry Drake, another student. They were married on October 21, 1945. Theda accompanied Larry who, as a Naval officer, was stationed in Honolulu, HI for a year. Following Larry’s discharge from the Navy and their graduation from the University of Michigan, they moved to the new community of Levittown on Long Island. Theda taught elementary school there briefly.

A son, Lawrence Colborn Drake, Jr., was born in 1951. In 1953 a second son, Kevin Temple Drake, was born. In 1954 Theda and Larry moved to Livingston, NJ where they lived until 1995. In 1961 a third son, Roger Munson Drake, was born.

During the 1960’s, Theda pursued graduate training in library science and secured a job as librarian in the Roseland (NJ) Elementary School. While working there, Theda served as the President of the Roseland Education Association as well as a Delegate to the New Jersey Education Association Assembly.

Theda was a strong believer in women’s rights — and social justice generally — and was active for many years in the American Association of University Women (AAUW) as well as the Parent-Teacher Association in Livingston. She was an active member of the Unitarian Church for most of her life.

In 1995, Theda and Larry moved to Santa Barbara, CA, where they lived until 2009, when they moved to Boulder, CO. They enjoyed traveling, both in the United States and internationally. Theda was a warm, caring and exceptionally outgoing person. She enjoyed spending time with her friends, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was a great lover of books.

Theda passed away peacefully on May 23 at her home in Boulder, CO.

Theda was predeceased by her brother, Jack Temple, and by her husband Larry, who died on May 12, 2010. Besides her three sons, she leaves behind three daughters-in-law: Joan Jacobs (Larry), Carol O’Brien Drake (Kevin), and Jennifer Drake (Roger); four granddaughters (Larissa Ragazzo, Ashley Drake, Whitney Worthington, and Bonnie Drake); two grandsons-in-law (Rob Ragazzo and Marcus Worthington); two great-grandsons (Robby Ragazzo and Kevin Ragazzo); four nieces (Cheryl Temple Korf, Jackie Sue Temple Kline, Katherine Temple Valasek, and Sandra Temple Tejkl); a sister-in-law (Barbara Rakovec); and a brother-in-law (Hubert Drake).

In her memory, donations can be made to the AAUW, 1111 16th St., NW, Washington, DC 20036 (www.aauw.org).

The family is grateful for the wonderful services provided to Theda in her last days by Family Hospice of Boulder, CO as well as by the staff of the Meridian Boulder.

A family memorial service will be held later this year. Theda’s ashes will be inurned in the Drake family plot in Windham, NY.

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