Odessa woman who fought in Tampa Bay s water wars dies at 78 tampabay.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from tampabay.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
The Honorable Grace L. Drake, a longtime resident of Solon, was an accomplished photographer, a wife and mother, and a politician. An avid Republican, she was someone who embraced the warmth, wit and compassion that crossed party lines, her colleagues said.
The 11th woman to serve in the Ohio Senate was known as a people person, trusted adviser, mentor and friend.
Mrs. Drake was born May 25, 1926, in New London, Connecticut and died Dec. 30. She was 94. She had lived on Briardale Drive in the Briar Hill subdivision in Solon since 1962.
âThe definition of âgraceâ in the dictionary is poise, elegance, forgiveness and courteous good will,â said former Republican State Rep. Marlene Anielski of the Sixth District. âHow perfect a definition of Sen. Drake,â the longtime friend said.
Tuke Shoemaker, wife of the late retired Gen. Robert M. Shoemaker, has died at the age of 95.
The Killeen Independent School District reported Mrs. Shoemakerâs passing Sunday on its website in a tribute to the longtime supporter of education in the area.
Mrs. Shoemaker, along with her late husband, was deeply committed to the districtâs students, particularly those at Shoemaker High School, which the district named after the retired four-star general in 2000.
The school celebrated Mrs. Shoemakerâs 95th birthday with her in February, hosting a special luncheon for her featuring cheerleaders, drill team members, Island Dancers, choir, step team and the Pandemonium steel drum corps â as well as a birthday cake.