Ida G. Maria

Ida G. Maria of Pine City, NY peacefully entered God’s glory on March 30, 2023, at Inova Hospital in Fairfax, Virginia after 85 years of wonderful life. She was born into an embracing, Italian family on June 29, 1937, in Elmira, NY, the daughter of the late Vincent G. and Carmela C. Maria. She was predeceased by her big brother Antonio (Tony) Maria and older sisters Livia Lepere, Gepina Depue and Gina Chalk. She is survived by her younger brother, Vincent Maria Giannini, who has become the Maria family patriarch, and her foster brother Richard Kirkendall.
Ida attended St. Mary’s Elementary School and Southside High School, and completed coursework at Elmira College. She was a faithful member of St. Mary’s Parish. She started working in her early teens as a Candy Striper at St. Joseph’s Hospital. Following High School, she moved to Clarksville, Tennessee for several years, living with her brother Tony and his family while they were stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. She worked there as a waitress at the Southland Club, which catered to the troops.
Upon returning to Elmira with her son, “little” Tony, Ida began her career with the Telephone Company as an Operator on the switchboard, often working split shifts. Her loving mother Carmela cared for her son, so she could make ends meet. Ida was rewarded for her dedicated work ethic, intellect and grace, as she was promoted to Supervisor, Assistant Manager and Manager of the Elmira office, where she always took good care of her “girls” at work. She succeeded in other management roles in Syracuse and New York City, before retiring from the Phone Company and residing near Syracuse. She embarked on a second career with Tri State Auto Auction in Cicero, NY where she excelled again and was promoted to Manager of Marketing, until she retired for real in 2005. She always loved her work and everyone she worked with, and they all loved her back.
She returned to the Elmira area in 2001, moving into the home she liked so much in Pine City. She volunteered as a Pastoral Minister at St. Joseph’s Hospital and a Eucharist Minister at St. Mary’s Church, and also served as an Associate of the Sisters of St. Joseph.
Ida was married to the late Irvin Paul (Punky) Johnson for nearly 20 years. They enjoyed many good times together; hosting family and neighborhood gatherings and camping across the finger lakes. She also enjoyed the companionship of her many cats and could often be heard calling for them around the block in the evening hours. “Georgie” and “Frankie” were among her favorites. Wherever she worked or lived, she always had a great group of friends, as she was just so likeable. Ida extended her network through Facebook, where she was everyone’s favorite with her positive, uplifting posts and captivating stories, which sometimes ended abruptly! A collection of her early stories was published in her book, “A Girl”.
Although she was totally dedicated to her work, there was nothing she loved more than family! The fun-loving Maria Family was always there for her and each other. They loved eating, talking and laughing together! She was perhaps best known in her loving role as Aunt Eda. She has a whole bunch of nieces and nephews who can vouch for that!
Ida’s family legacy lives on through her son Tony Edmonds and his wife Karen of Fairfax Station, Virginia, as well as her grandchildren Rebecca (husband Brandon Mecozzi), Melissa (fiancé Sean Murphy) and Michael (wife Celest), and great grandchildren Dominic, Gabriella, Natalia and Jordan…and Ryland who is due in June!
Friends and family are encouraged to gather at the Olthof Funeral Home, 1050 Pennsylvania Avenue, Elmira, NY on Monday April 10, 2023 from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM for calling hours, and for a Funeral Mass at St. Mary’s Church, 224 Franklin Street, starting at 10:00 AM on Tuesday April 11, with a burial service to follow at St. Peter and Paul’s Cemetery.