PLANO, TEXAS
Reverend Nancy Schaefer Drake, a devoted wife, loving mom and grandmother, passed away on November 11, 2022. Generous, strong, caring, supportive and encouraging, her extraordinary life began on January 18, 1946 in Columbus, Indiana when she was born to Karl and Leona Schaefer. Growing up, Nancy developed two passions that followed her the rest of her life: swimming and the church. As a young child, she developed a special bond with her sister Jane (Schaefer) Pendleton that continued her entire life. Nancy attended Indiana University and later became the first female officer at Indiana National Bank. After agreeing to go on a blind date, Nancy met Tom Drake, who she married on November 28, 1970, and thus began a loving partnership for over 50 years . Although she was quickly climbing the corporate ladder, Nancy ended her professional career when her daughter Megan was born in 1972. They moved to Warsaw, Indiana in 1973, where son Scott was born in 1975. By this time, Nancy had established herself as a “super mom” and was known throughout the neighborhood for her special desserts, sense of humor and youthful spirit. Her house was the go to place for after school snacks and fun. She would sip coffee from a mug saying “Youth is wasted on the young” before joining all the kids in bike rides, scavenger hunts and three legged races. When not playing with her children, Nancy could be found early in the morning swimming at the YMCA, playing tennis, hosting parties and bridge groups, and volunteering throughout Warsaw.
Nancy and her family moved to Plano in 1987, where she continued to be an active volunteer, deepened her involvement in the church, and continued her love of food and fellowship by founding a Plano gourmet group. She kept her sense of adventure and was the lone mom riding the big rides on trips to Six Flags or water parks. When her kids left for college, Nancy could have relaxed. Anyone who knew Nancy, knew she could not just sit idly. Instead, Nancy heard God’s call and enrolled in the Perkins School of Theology at SMU, where she graduated magna cum laude in 1996 at age 50. Nancy spent 12 years as an associate pastor at First Presbyterian Church of Grapevine. Her ministry took her around the world, from Honduras, to Uganda and India. She also lifted up her community through work with Grace Presbyterian Village, Genesis Women’s Shelter, Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church and Grace Presbytery. She studied the famous labyrinth at Chartres Cathedral in France and Grace Cathedral in San Francisco. She visited labyrinths on her travels with Tom and loved leading people through labyrinths on a spiritual journey of coming home to Self. Nancy performed the vows at both of her children’s weddings and baptized both grandchildren, highlights she said was reason enough to have gone to seminary.
While Nancy was successful in business, busy as a volunteer and pastor, she drew no greater pride than from being a wife, mom and Nana. Even with her busy schedule, she always loved and supported Tom, relishing their happy hours and preparing gourmet meals and homemade desserts. Routinely described by Megan’s and Scott’s friends as “amazing,” she is a sure fire first ballot entrant into the Mom’s Hall of Fame. Her grandsons, Jack and Scotty, were the joys of her life. Nancy surrounded them in love but often forgot her age as she hosted “Fun Friday’s,” imaginary campouts, night swims and too many other activities to list. Known as “Silly Nana,” she was always up for an adventure and was already planning to go parasailing on her 90th birthday.
Nancy remained active her whole life, joining a swim group of people half her age, snorkeling, hiking and paddle boarding in Hawaii until falling suddenly ill to a rare pulmonary disease in May. Nancy fought bravely for six months, enjoying every day of “bonus time” with her family.
She is survived by her husband Thomas P. Drake, daughter Megan (Drake) Kisby and her husband Steve, son Scott Drake and his wife Regan, and her two grandsons Jack and Scotty Drake. She is also survived by her sister Jane Pendleton, nephew John Pendleton and wife Traudi, their sons Charlie and Harlan and her niece Ann Pendleton.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Genesis Women’s Shelter &Support of Dallas (https://www.genesisshelter.org/donate/ ). A Funeral Service will be at 2:00 PM (EST) Friday, November 18th at Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church, 9800 Preston Road, Dallas, TX. The service can also be viewed at www.phpc.org/streaming at 2:00.
