Donna Louise Drake, age 84, of Rochester, NY, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on August 27, 2026.

Donna was born on October 26, 1941, and raised in Syracuse, New York/Onondaga County to Bernard and Ella Mae Reed. Donna was a devoted mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, as well as a loving sister and aunt. Donna lived in the Syracuse area, New Jersey and Ohio. After a heartbreaking fire on her farm in Ohio, Donna moved her five young children to North Syracuse, where she built a new life for herself and her children.

After twenty years of service at Amtek HR Consultants, she retired from her career, as a Human Resource Compliance Auditor. Donna enjoyed spending time with her family, reading, garage sale-ing, playing pitch and vacationing at the ocean.

Donna was preceded in death by her parents, Bernard H. and Ella Mae Reed, a brother Frederick W. Reed and a son Daniel J. Drake.

Donna is survived by her four children: Thomas (Yvonne) Drake, Sheila Drake, Joseph (Stephanie) Drake, and Nicole (Dennis) Kavanagh; two sisters Barbara A. Serafini and Lynda M. Wanzenried; seven grandchildren, Brandon Drake, Katie and Emma Drake, Daniel and Taylor Drake, Kinsey and Haley Kavanagh and three great grandchildren, Alyssa, Ava and Alivia Drake.

A private interment and celebration of life ceremony for Donna will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests consideration of donations to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Donna will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who knew her.

To leave the family an online condolence or memory, please visit Donna’s guestbook at www.murphyfuneralservices.com.