Obituary of Muriel Drake
Muriel Drake, 103, passed away on Saturday, January 27, 2024 at the Complete Care in Plainfield.
Born in Brooklyn, NY to the late William and Lillian (Wigre) Battenburg, Muriel moved to Plainfield in 1945 and married the late Fred W. Drake. In 1950, they settled to South Plainfield where they built their home to raise their family.
In the 1960’s, Muriel worked for the former Teppers Department Store in Plainfield. As a floater, she worked several positions which enabled Muriel to meet many people, becoming lifelong friends with several of them.
In 1975, Muriel became a widow and it was then, she began working at Martindale Hubbel in Summit as an Administrative Clerk. In 1985, Mrs. Drake exited the workforce into retirement but kept in touch with many of the friends she made along the way.
Muriel was a seventy-five year member of Wesley United Methodist Church in South Plainfield and severed committees; Candeliers, Decorating, FISH Hospitality and Lend a Hand. In 2020, during the height of the Covid-19 Pandemic, Muriel turned 100. As a result of this milestone, most church members participated in a drive-by celebration stopping by her home wishing Muriel a Happy Birthday, all while being surrounded by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
An avid traveler, Muriel’s love of traveling first started when she boarded her first airplane flight to Hawaii in 1980. But above all things, she was the happiest when she was with her family and almost every weekend, you would find Muriel surrounded by her family and friends sharing stories.
She will be sorely missed by all those that knew her, especially her son, Barry of South Plainfield with whom she lived; her daughter, Lynne Logan and husband Michael of Barnegat; her grandchildren; Jennifer Cichone (Edward), Janell Pyzik (Jill) Jason Pyzik (Michele) Michael Drake, Danielle Drake Fittin, Drake Barry and Nicholas Drake (Laycee) and her great grandchildren, Evan and Emma Cichone, Navy Dolan, Kayla, Ryan and Jackson Pyzik, Rick and Madilyn Fittin and Delilah and Paxton Drake.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, February 1, 2024 beginning at 11am followed by a 12:45pm funeral service in the McCriskin – Gustafson Home for Funerals 2425 Plainfield Ave. South Plainfield, NJ 07080
Immediately following the funeral service, Muriel will be laid to rest alongside her husband Fred at Hillside Cemetery, Scotch Plains, NJ