Hornell, New York

Gladys M. Drone – 96 – a resident of The Jewish Home of Rochester, formerly of 23 Church St., Hornell, NY, passed away early Monday morning (May 15, 2023) at Highland Hospital in Rochester.

Born in Canisteo, NY, on August 1, 1926, she was the daughter of Carl & Cora (Call) Oakes.

Gladys grew up in Canisteo and attended Canisteo Central School. She briefly lived in Angelica, NY, and Salamanca, NY, before settling in Hornell, where she resided for most of her adult life.

She was employed as a seamstress at the former Stern & Stern Textile Corporation in Hornell for several years and for over 20 years served as a seamstress at the former Marion Rohr Corporation in Hornell, retiring in the late 1980s.

Gladys was a member of Our Lady of the Valley Parish and a communicant of St. Ann’s Church. She was a devout Catholic who prayed the Rosary daily. A true “homemaker,” she loved flowers and tending to her flower garden. She was an avid reader and enjoyed crocheting, cooking, baking, singing and dancing. Gladys also enjoyed spending time working on crossword and jigsaw puzzles and walking her beloved dogs, Bo and Sadie.

Throughout the years, Gladys loved spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and took great pride in their accomplishments. She always looked forward to hosting family dinners, especially to celebrate holidays together.

Gladys was married on September 14, 1946 to John F. Drone who passed away October 19, 1978. She was also preceded in death by 4 brothers, Howard Oakes, Robert Oakes, Carl Oakes and Charles Oakes; 4 sisters, Mildred Strobel, Catherine Racalto, Ruth Watt and Frances “Frankie” Oakes VanZyle Mackey; her step-son, John F. Drone, Jr.; her son-in-law, Joseph J. Ganz.

Surviving are 3 sons, Robert “Bob” (Doris) Drone of Boynton Beach, FL, Steven Drone of DeBary, FL, and Mark (Helen Ratliff) Drone of Hornell, NY; 3 daughters, Catherine “Cathy” (Bruce McLeod) Ganz Rohan of Webster, NY, Cora Lynn New of Hornell, NY, and Lorie Downey of Pittsford, NY; 1 sister, Mary Lou Laruche of Buffalo, NY; 19 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; many nieces & nephews.

The family of Gladys M. Drone will receive friends on Monday from 12:00 (noon) – 1:00 PM at the Dagon Funeral Home, 38 Church St., Hornell, NY. Funeral & committal services will be held at the conclusion of calling hours at 1:00 PM with Deacon Robert McCormick officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Gladys’ family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in her name be made to St. Ann’s Academy, 41 Genesee St., Hornell, NY 14843. Memorial forms will be available at the Dagon Funeral Home.

To leave an online condolence or share a memory, visit www.dagonfuneralhome.com.