Zorca Andona (Bolf) Drake

Zorca Drake passed peacefully August 19, 2016 in Kent, WA. She was born July 15,1929 in Roslyn, WA to George, Sr. and Josephine (Briski) Bolf, who emigrated from Delnice, Croatia. Along with her brother, George, Jr., the family moved to Seattle’s Rainier Valley when Zorca was a teen. She graduated from Franklin High School in 1947.

Zorca married Roy O. Drake in 1949 and were blessed to have 50 years together until Roy’s passing in 1999. In retirement, they enjoyed traveling and went on numerous cruises and visits to Europe, including Croatia. She loved spending time at their cabin at Lake Cle Elum and their winter home in Indio, CA. 

The family enjoyed camping throughout the Pacific Northwest but especially in the Upper Kittitas County and Westport, WA, often joined with lifelong friends.

Zorca was a homemaker. Her husband worked very hard, holding down many jobs, while Zorca managed the household. Three daughters in 5 years was a handful but she did it with grace. She was involved in her daughters’ Girl Scout Troops, school functions, sports and Croatian dance and music group. She supported her family in every way until she couldn’t anymore.

Zorca’s Croatian heritage was foremost in her life. She was active and a member of the Croatian Fraternal Union, original member of the American Slavic Women’s Club, and an original parent of the Seattle Jr. Tamburitzans.  She loved the Croatian music and traveled the US to attend tamburitza festivals. She loved any party where there was music. She joined the Sons of Italy for all their social activities, even though she wasn’t Italian.  Quite the social butterfly, Zorca never met a person that she couldn’t strike up a conversation. Her infectious smile and twinkling eyes were a welcome to all.

Zorca is preceded in death by her husband, Roy, parents George, Sr. and Josephine (Briski) Bolf, and brother George, Jr.

She is survived by her daughters Bonnie (Dan) Spino, Donna (Richard) Tarabochia, and Bianca Drake; 3 granddaughters, Jennifer Spino, Jodi (Garrett) Cornatzer, and Sara Lucien;  two great-grandsons Franklin and Emmett, two nephews, Michael (Peggy) Bolf and David (Diane) Bolf, and many relatives in Croatia.

Funeral Mass is at St. Stephen the Martyr Catholic Church, 13055 SE 192nd St, Renton, WA 98058, at 11 am, Tuesday, August 30, 2016.

Viewing is available Sunday, August 28 from 1-5 pm at Columbia Funeral Home, 4567 Rainier Ave S, Seattle, WA 98118.  There also will be viewing one hour prior to the funeral mass on Tuesday, August 30 at St. Stephen the Martyr Catholic Church.

Cemetery committal service is at Tahoma National Cemetery, 18600 SE 240th St, Kent, WA 98042, on Wednesday, August 31 at 11:15 am.

Memorial gifts may be made to the Zorca Bolf Drake Croatian Cultural Fund c/o Donna Drake Tarabochia at P.O. Box 16662, Seattle, WA 98116, or to the Alzheimer’s Association, www.alzwa.org.