Mary Shirley Serra Drum

Former Mattituck resident Mary Shirley Serra Drum passed away Feb. 16, 2015, at her daughter Pat’s home in Jeffersonton, Va. at the age of 92.

Mary was born April 27, 1922, in Brooklyn to Sophie and William Serra, moved to Flanders in 1929 and graduated from Hampton Bays High School. While living in Flanders, she won a beach beauty summer contest in Hampton Bays.

On September 6, 1942, Mary married Ensign Henry W. Drum at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church in Mattituck. Mary and Hank traveled many places while Hank served in the U.S. Navy. Being stationed at Lakehurst Naval Air Engineering Station in New Jersey and four years in Hawaii were highlights of his time served.

Mary was a devoted wife, skilled hostess and mother of eight children. Mary was predeceased by her husband, Hank Drum in 2006; her sister, Ann Haines; and her brother, William Serra. She is survived by her sister, Clare Burns of Sayville; and eight children, Diane Sandusky of Bowie, Md., Kathy Bitgood of Niantic, Conn., Pat (Jim) Ammons of Jeffersonton, Va., Cauly (Roger) Redenius of Orange Park, Fla., Duffy Drum of Norfolk, Va., Michael (Carol) Drum of Annapolis, Md., Bridget Drum of East Hartford, Conn., and Tim Drum of Cutchogue.

Mary had 20 beloved grandchildren and 9 (almost 10) great-grand children. Every year they received birthday cards and Christmas gifts from their beloved “Mimi”. She was also known as “Mimi” to all nieces and nephews.

Mary had a “tell it like it is” attitude and an open-door policy for family and friends. She was a long-standing member of North Fork Country Club in Cutchogue and a member of  Sacred Heart Parish, also in Cutchogue. She had numerous friends through out the community volunteering at a local historical society and also at the Blood Bank.

In her final days, at her daughter Pat’s home in Jeffersonton, Mary was visited and cherished by many. She was thankful for cards and letters sent by family and friends who will all miss her greatly. She looked forward to reuniting with Hank, her husband of 65 years, and seeing the glory of God.

The family will receive visitors Friday, March 13, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Costner-Heppner Funeral Home in Cutchogue. A memorial Mass will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, March 14, at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church in Mattituck. Burial will take place at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Cutchogue.

This is a paid notice.