Mary Gwendolyn Babe, youngest child of Frances and Elizabeth Abbott was born July 22, 1912, in Carter, South Dakota. She attended her early years of school in Tripp County and later graduated from Geddes High School in Geddes, South Dakota.

In the spring of 1938 she married LeRoy Drey of Tripp County. The couple lived south-west of Winner near LeRoys family for a few years. Later they purchased their own farm in Todd County. While in Todd County they had one daughter, Juanita Marie, who was born in 1948 and later on died in 1951. In the later years they did take in and cared for two foster children, Mick & Zoe Ann Boudinot on their Todd County farm.

LeRoy & Mary Babe moved to Herrick, South Dakota in 1974 and enjoyed their retirement together until 1980, when LeRoy passed away. Mary Babe continued to live in Herrick, SD, until she needed assistance and then moved into the Whispering Pines in Burke in the fall of 1998. Then later in May of 2003 she had to move into the Lake Andes Nursing Home in Lake Andes, SD.

Mary Babe Gwendolyn Drey died on Monday, March 17, 2008 at the Lake Andes Nursing Home, Lake Andes, SD.

Mary Babe is survived by four nieces; Cora Ann (Abbott) Hawkins, Delores (Abbott) Leverett, Jeannie (Abbott) Koppes; one nephew Bill Abbott and a number of great nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, daughter, 3 brothers, and 1 sister.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, March 25, 2008 at 10:30 AM at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Burke, SD. Burial will be in the Winner Catholic Cemetery, Winner. There will be a rosary on Monday at 7:00 PM at the Church. Visitation will be one hour prior to both services at the Church.