Ida D'Ovidio, of Medford, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family on Friday, March 30th at the Melrose-Wakefield Hospital. She was 89.
Born in East Boston, she was raised in Somerville and attended local schools. Ida graduated from Somerville High School with the Class of 1947. After high school, she went to work for John Hancock as a case manager within the insurance division. With 30 years of service, Ida retired in 1977.
Ida was the leader of her family—a true matriarch. She was devoted to her siblings, nieces and nephews. Ida treated all of her nieces and nephews as if they were her own. There wasn’t anything she wouldn’t do for her family. Love was always the driving force in Ida’s life. She was a person of great faith and lived her life in accordance with the Christian values of: faith, hope and charity. Ida always had a special devotion to Our Lady and was a communicant of both St. Benedict Church in Somerville and St. Joseph Church in Medford.
In her spare time, Ida loved to travel. Her favorites were Italy, Asia and Europe. She enjoyed being active, visiting new places and learning about different cultures. Ida was also an avid ballroom dancer and bingo player. She would play bingo anywhere that is was available and on an average of two to three times a week. Ida was able to play 15 bingo cards at a time and was often a winner!
Ida was the beloved partner of Ralph Boyd of Medford, with whom she shared many loving years with. She was a cherished daughter of the late Joseph and Emilia (DiGiovanni) D’Ovidio, and the loving sister of Frederick D'Ovidio and his wife Florence of Rochester, New York, Yolanda Leon and her husband George of Stoneham, Joseph D'Ovidio and his wife Nancy Busnach of Somerville, Richard D'Ovidio and his late wife Rosemarie of Medford, the late Albert D'Ovidio and his surviving wife Elizabeth of Somerville. Ida is also survived by her cherished 14 nieces and nephews.
Her funeral will be from the Dello Russo Funeral Home, 306 Main Street, Medford, on Tuesday, April 3rd at 9 AM followed by a Funeral Mass celebrated in St. Joseph Church, 118 High Street, Medford, at 10 AM. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours will be held on Monday from 4 through 8 PM. Services will conclude with interment at Oak Grove Cemetery, Medford.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Ida’s name may be sent to the Alzheimer's Association, 309 Waverly Oaks Rd., Waltham, MA 02452.