Obituary of Amélie Josepha Drake

What lies ahead, I have no way of knowing but under my feet, baby, grass is growing.

- Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers

17 years ago, Amélie The Great was thrust into this world with a mission. First, she wanted you to know how magical she was and never missed an opportunity to show you. Second, she wanted you to know how much she loved you. That was obvious - it was her bright, wide smile; a smile she flashed at everyone, as if to say, “Come sit by me.” And to be invited to sit with her was to be drawn into her magic, awe-inspired and forever changed.

But make no mistake - if she thought you were ridiculous, she told you. If you were lucky, it was just a giggle but definitely an eye roll. Other times, it was a swat or a slap, her laughter filling the room. It was her way of saying, “It’s OK, I still love you. But leave me alone or I’ll throw your pizza on the floor.” And she would.

Her parents took nothing for granted when it came to helping her cultivate her powers. Amélie went on adventures. She went camping, she went hiking, she went paddle boarding…and she did so with a smile of contentment, her blue eyes magnified by the sun that seemed to direct its energy towards her. Her affinity for ribbons, pinwheels, Tom Petty, snuggling with her little brother Van, fearlessly taking on challenges some said she could never meet - all of this was pure Amélie. She was a force, determined to show you what she could do. She was named Employee of the Week more than once during her time as the Mail Delivery Person at Wayzata High School. She commanded a Mariachi Band for her quinceanera, which was supplied by her boyfriend Jeff to the ICU of Children’s Hospital. And when you pushed her wheelchair down the hall, she extended her leg and pointed her toe as if to say, “LET’S GOOOOOOO.”

Amélie The Great has been called home. But it’s not a retreat. She didn’t fall back. She bravely and honestly said, “I’m tired.” For 17 years, she worked her magic, she loved furiously, she had the most fantastic eyebrows of anyone this side of the Mississippi. And now she’s done. But she’s not gone.

Amelie is in a perfect summer day. She’s in the crunch of fall leaves under your feet. She’s in the way the air smells like rain in the spring. She’s in a cold-nosed, hot chocolate winter afternoon. She’s in these words. She left an indelible dusting of glitter on anyone she met.

We’ll see you, Nermie. Save me a seat ‘cuz I wanna sit by you.

Celebration of Life 

December 22, 2021
Visitation 2:00PM
Celebration of Life 3:00PM
New Hope Church
4225 Gettysburg Ave North
New Hope, MN 55428
Livestream will be available.

Reception 5:00PM - 7:00PM
Brookview
316 Brookview Parkway South
Golden Valley, MN 55426