Ida M. (Pires) De Rossi, of New Bedford and formerly of Fairhaven (her birthplace), passed away on Monday, March 11, 2019 after a long, blessed life and surrounded by those who loved her. Ida was the daughter of the late Mabel (Eaves) and Oscar Gobielle. She was survived by her two sons, Steven A. De Rossi and his wife Cathy, and Barry J. De Rossi and his wife Judy; five grandchildren, Dr. Scott S. De Rossi and his wife Dr. Kate Ciarrocca, Attorney Gina L. De Rossi, Kim Walecka and her husband Dr. Kevin Walecka, Todd De Rossi and his wife Marissa, and Jennifer da Costa and her husband Jason da Costa; seven great grandchildren, Noah and Mia De Rossi-Goldberg, Sofia and Evie De Rossi, Benjamin and Lucas da Costa and Ella De Rossi.
Ida was the devoted wife of the late Aldo J. De Rossi whom she was happily married to for over 65 years. The couple were rarely apart, living, working and traveling together until his death in 2010. They were a “package deal” and lovingly referred to as “Mr. & Mrs. D” by all who knew and loved them.
In 1939 Aldo opened the De Rossi Accordion School in Downtown New Bedford. After their marriage in 1945, Ida joined her husband and became the driving force behind the accordion school, eventually spearheading its expansion in the 1970s to include other instrument instruction and becoming the De Rossi Music School with locations in New Bedford, Fall River, Taunton and Hyannis. While Mr. D. (Aldo) was the musical talent behind the popular local business, it was Mrs. D. (Ida) who was the heart, soul and face of the Music School throughout its 62 year run. It was Mrs. D.’s vivacious spirit, boisterous laugh and nurturing soul that kept area students and their parents coming back year after year to learn and love music.
In the 1960s, Ida ventured out on her own to satisfy her passion and love for fashion by opening and operating Ida Marie’s Dress Shop located in Downtown New Bedford. Ida also served as Mistress of Ceremonies for “International Night” in New Bedford, a yearly program held at New Bedford High School. Among the music, and particularly the accordion community, Ida was known as the “Queen of the Ballroom”, serving as Mistress of Ceremonies for hundreds of state and national music competitions around the country. For decades, Ida played an active role in the Accordion Teachers Association of Massachusetts (ATAM) as well as the American Accordionists Teachers Association (AATA).
Ida was a pioneer and a woman ahead of her time. She leaves behind a legacy as a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and savvy business woman. For 97 years Ida blessed this earth with her spunk, impeccable style, unending generosity and downright fearlessness. She will be missed by all whose lives she touched. She will always be the eternal “Hostess with the Mostest,” “Queen of the Ballroom,” “Mrs. D.”, and “Gramma Studio”. May her memory be eternal.
A private family burial service was held at Riverside Cemetery in Fairhaven. Arrangements were by the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. For online condolence book, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.