Obituary of Nancy Ann Drake

Nancy Ann (Pellow) Drake was born June 14, 1931 in St. Louis, MO to Andrew & Claire (Bowles) Pellow and passed from this life on February 1, 2018 at the age of 86.

Nancy lived her younger years in Oklahoma City but moved to Tulsa in her teens, graduating from Tulsa Central in 1949.  After high school, Nancy was an executive secretary in Tulsa before marrying Frank B. Files and moving to Pawhuska, OK in 1958.  Nancy spent her time in Pawhuska raising her children, beginning life-long friendships and starting a career with the Department of Human Services as a social worker.  Nancy continued working with DHS in Tulsa County when she moved her family to Tulsa in 1978, retiring in 1994. 

In her spare time and retirement, Nancy enjoyed cheering on her favorite sports teams:  the St. Louis Cardinals, the Oklahoma State Cowboys or any team her children/grandchildren were playing on.  She also enjoyed “Thursday Night Bridge” games with friends, and spending holidays with her family.  Nancy was quick to find a sale and most would say her favorite hobby was shopping for beautiful clothes, cut glass or Native American jewelry.  She was a member of St. John’s Episcopal Church and a patron of the arts, regularly attending events at the Tulsa PAC and Gilcrease Museum. 

Nancy is preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Sara Novachek.  She is survived by her children and their spouses, Claire & Mark Hendryx, Drew & Lisa Files, Mandy & Leonard Bagdanov and David & Tricia Files; nine grandchildren; and five great grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at St. John’s Episcopal Church on March 17, 2018 at 11am.

In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to Paulie Poorman for Broken Arrow Nursing Home, 424 N Date Avenue, Broken Arrow, OK   74012. 

Ninde Brookside, 918.742.5556, ninde.com