Maud Drane

Maud Carson Tucker Drane, age 96, died on Sunday, November 4, in Cleveland after a long illness. She was born on August 25, 1916, in one of the pavilions designed by Thomas Jefferson at the University of Virginia, where her maternal grandfather served as dean of the law school. Her paternal great-grandfather, John Augustine Washington, was the last private citizen to own Mount Vernon. Mrs. Drane spent her childhood years in Charlottesville and Richmond, Virginia. She was a graduate of Sweet Briar college, and during her junior year was a student at St. Andrews University, Scotland. In 1938, she moved to Cleveland, when her father, Beverley Dandridge Tucker, was named Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Ohio. She was bequeathed a life-long love for her native state of Virginia by her father and her mother, Eleanor Lile Tucker. After arriving in Cleveland, Mrs. Drane studied at the School of Applied Social Sciences of Western Reserve University. Over the course of her lifetime, she served as a volunteer for many organizations, especially those to benefit children in Cleveland. On August 30, 1941, Mrs. Drane married Walter Harding Drane, a law publisher with the Banks Baldwin Company, and at that time a United States Naval Officer. After their marriage, she followed him to his assignment at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. Mr. And Mrs. Drane were present there on December 7, 1941, during the attacks that sparked the entry of the United States into World War II. Returning to Cleveland after the War began, Mrs. Drane, like wives of many naval servicemen, travelled to Seattle, Boston, Philadelphia, and other port cities to see her husband when his ships returned to port during leave. After the War ended, Mr. and Mrs. Drane settled in Cleveland Heights, where they raised their family. Mrs. Drane was a long-time member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Cleveland Heights. In 1963, her father introduced the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., when he spoke there, calling him, along with Pope John XXIII, the greatest Christians of the twentieth century. Beginning with a trip to Europe to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary, Mrs. Drane and her husband travelled throughout the United States and the world, visiting all of the continents except Antarctica. A highlight of her later years took place when she returned to Mount Vernon a portrait of the Virgin Mary, which hung there during George Washington's lifetime, and which she inherited through her Washington and Tucker ancestors. Mrs. Drane served on the altar guild at St.Paul's, and was a member of the Junior League and the Cleveland Skating Club. Her husband of 59 years and her daughter Roberta predeceased her. Surviving are her brother, the Reverend Beverley Dandridge Tucker, of Virginia Beach, and sister Lile T. Bell of Richmond, Virginia. Her sisters, Eleanor S. Tucker and Maria T. Bowerfind, both of Cleveland, predeceased her. She also is survived by her children, Eleanor Christensen Harry of Stamford, Connecticut, Harding Drane Margriet of Wilmington, Delaware, and Beverley Coughlin Dennis of Cleveland Heights, five grandchildren Charlotte Breslin, Anna Christensen, James Christensen, Clara Coughlin, and Marta Drane, and one great-grandchild Cooper Breslin, born on October 23 of this year. The Drane family expresses sincere thanks to the dedicated staff of Judson retirement community, who cared for her so ably and compassionately during the last years of her life. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to St. Paul's Church, 2747 Fairmount Boulevard, Cleveland Heights, Ohio 44106, or to the charity of your choice. A Funeral Service will be held to celebrate her life on Friday, November 16, at 2 p.m at St. Paul's.


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