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September 22, 2014
Services
Friends may visit with the family at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne, on Friday, September 26, 2014 from 10-11:30 AM. A Mass will follow at 12:30 PM at Our Lady of Magnificat R.C. Church, 2 Miller Rd., Kinnelon, NJ.
Ida T. Di Stasi, age 96 of Allendale and formerly of Wayne, joined her loved ones in eternity on Monday, September 22, 2014, with her husband at her side.
What a gal! A woman who cherished being a wife, mother, mother-in-law and grandmother. She grabbed the brass ring, making it a keepsake, living and loving life and her family to the fullest.
Born in 1918 to Italian immigrants Frank and Fannie in Trenton, NJ she was one of seven children – 6 girls and 1 boy. She and her siblings were very close. There were lots of family gatherings, and Mom stayed in touch with her family for most of her life.
In their adolescent years, Mom and Dad were acquainted, but Dad being 4 years older, always thought of her as a little kid until he returned from the West Coast in 1943 to find Mom had grown up. A new chapter in her life took off full speed ahead. On one of their first dates, the story about Mom’s appetite still brings a smile. She ordered the most expensive item on the menu leaving Dad little money for his meal…lesson learned…the next time bring more money!
As a traditional couple, Arthur and Ida married in 1944. Her job as a beautician came to an end when she became a mother. In 1945 Bob was born and Linda arrived in 1947.
Mom married her soul mate in the “energizer bunny”. She was an expert at running a smooth operation. Let’s say her management style was to stay organized, keep everything moving forward, and make it look easy. “The look” – that special eye contact mother’s and wives use, was her best and strongest rule enforcer. She was a good sport, learning to water ski because dad bought a boat, snow ski because it seemed like fun and ice skate because our property had a large pond. She took organ lessons because she loved music and learned to paint. A sunlit studio was added to the Pennsylvania house so Mom could pursue her interest in painting. She was also an avid gardener. Her huge garden was the envy of the neighborhood. She spent hours out there, sometimes working into the evenings, when Dad would put the lights on (or out) for her!
She loved to sew, was an excellent cook, and a good dancer - even into her 90’s managing to swing those hips and keep a rhythm without breaking anything…and gave great parties for her family and friends. Always up for a new adventure, she’d pack yet another suitcase for a cruise or trip in the US, the islands and Europe. Mom and Dad took full advantage of the nickel, and penny slots in Las Vegas and Atlantic City. She was the lucky one in the family… and many times came out the “winner”. Once when we were little, with a dime and her intuition; she won an elegantly dressed, porcelain doll from a boardwalk vendor in Seaside.
Mom and Dad belonged to a country club because they loved to dance…and she had a closet full of beautiful, long flowing gowns. She and Dad were the event planners for a while. They engaged theater groups and her creativity blossomed into theme parties for the club, especially around the holidays and particularly New Year’s Eve. She had the vision and dad built the sets!
She was a domestic engineer before the phrase was popular. We relocated several times depending on where dad’s career took us. We lived at 3 locations in New Jersey, 1 in Florida, 1 in Maryland and 2 in Pennsylvania. But Mom kept up her part – usually with a “What, again question” - a smile, an eye roll…and then went to work shaping up a new home. When Dad wanted to build houses she was very active in the design – “I’d like 3 windows here, a large master bedroom, at least 2 bathrooms and the kitchen sink must be in front of a window…etc., etc.!” We had some really beautifully designed homes, which she didn’t want to leave…however, the bunny was on the move and so were we. In seemingly effortless fashion, even though now we understand it wasn’t, she got everything packed, moved and unpacked, and her latest house quickly became our home.
Although she tried a couple of times she didn’t particularly like flying in the small planes Dad loved. That’s where Bob and Linda came in…she was sure her entire family was doomed on the days we all flew together, but she sorted it out and exhaled when we arrived home safely. There is a funny family story about Dad taking a plane trip with his buddies to an out-of-state airshow but neglected to tell Mom he’d be home late. Realizing his error, and facing a cold supper and probably colder shoulder, he cautiously opened the door and threw his hat into the house. Within a fraction of a second, the hat came flying back out! He got the message…then he got “the look”!
She had strong ties to her church and was there every Sunday regardless of the weather. When she could no longer drive, Dad was her chauffeur. Dinners out, dancing with their group of friends and trips to the casinos remained favorite activities for our parent’s into their late 80’s and 90’s. She continued to play and win at the slots, and would “share” her winnings with Dad – she was his lucky charm!
Mom was positive and supportive, our anchor…having a kind heart, a high moral compass and was the minute-to-minute parent completing the family. It was very important to her to look good for her “boyfriend”, as she called Dad, when he came home from work. Her lipstick was on, her hair was combed; he never saw her in curlers. She was a fearless defender of her husband and children, loved and cherished them, and guided them with a firm but gentle hand. Her resolve was her strength and motivated her throughout her life.
Mom embraced and welcomed new additions to the family with all her heart and soul. She loved being a mother-in-law to Lynne (Bob’s wife) and John (Linda’s husband) and delighted in being called grandma by Jeff and Stephanie.
To be nearer their families, Mom and Dad moved from Glen Mills, PA to New Jersey, in late 2009, after almost 40 years. They left behind great neighbors and the religious community at St. Thomas Church in Pennsylvania.
Her beautiful smile and easy laugh were contagious. Her love, enthusiasm and commitment to Dad for 70 years set the standard for strong family values – they were a team and completed each other. Her sense of humor and pride for her family was evident all her life. Today we celebrate her life and the giving of life to us and her grandchildren Jeff and Stephanie. A quote by Helen Keller “what we once enjoyed and deeply loved we can never lose for all that we love deeply become part of us”. We love her and will dearly miss her.
She is survived by her beloved husband of seventy years; Arthur, her son, Robert Di Stasi, wife Lynne; her daughter Linda Di Stasi Schweighardt, husband John; Grandchildren: Jeffrey Di Stasi, wife Jessica, and Stephanie Di Stasi Roewer, husband Ben.
In lieu of flowers, and in celebration of mom’s life, donations noted: In Memory of Ida Di Stasi to Laurelwood Arboretum would be appreciated:
Laurelwood Arboretum
P.O. Box 2433
Wayne, NJ 07470-2433
http://www.laurelwoodarboretum.org/index.htm
Love to all,
Arthur, Robert & Linda
If you would like to send a private condolence directly to the family use this condolence section.
Friends may visit with the family at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne, on Friday, September 26, 2014 from 10-11:30 AM. A Mass will follow at 12:30 PM at Our Lady of Magnificat R.C. Church, 2 Miller Rd., Kinnelon, NJ.
September 22, 2014
Services
Friends may visit with the family at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne, on Friday, September 26, 2014 from 10-11:30 AM. A Mass will follow at 12:30 PM at Our Lady of Magnificat R.C. Church, 2 Miller Rd., Kinnelon, NJ.
Ida T. Di Stasi, age 96 of Allendale and formerly of Wayne, joined her loved ones in eternity on Monday, September 22, 2014, with her husband at her side.
What a gal! A woman who cherished being a wife, mother, mother-in-law and grandmother. She grabbed the brass ring, making it a keepsake, living and loving life and her family to the fullest.
Born in 1918 to Italian immigrants Frank and Fannie in Trenton, NJ she was one of seven children – 6 girls and 1 boy. She and her siblings were very close. There were lots of family gatherings, and Mom stayed in touch with her family for most of her life.
In their adolescent years, Mom and Dad were acquainted, but Dad being 4 years older, always thought of her as a little kid until he returned from the West Coast in 1943 to find Mom had grown up. A new chapter in her life took off full speed ahead. On one of their first dates, the story about Mom’s appetite still brings a smile. She ordered the most expensive item on the menu leaving Dad little money for his meal…lesson learned…the next time bring more money!
As a traditional couple, Arthur and Ida married in 1944. Her job as a beautician came to an end when she became a mother. In 1945 Bob was born and Linda arrived in 1947.
Mom married her soul mate in the “energizer bunny”. She was an expert at running a smooth operation. Let’s say her management style was to stay organized, keep everything moving forward, and make it look easy. “The look” – that special eye contact mother’s and wives use, was her best and strongest rule enforcer. She was a good sport, learning to water ski because dad bought a boat, snow ski because it seemed like fun and ice skate because our property had a large pond. She took organ lessons because she loved music and learned to paint. A sunlit studio was added to the Pennsylvania house so Mom could pursue her interest in painting. She was also an avid gardener. Her huge garden was the envy of the neighborhood. She spent hours out there, sometimes working into the evenings, when Dad would put the lights on (or out) for her!
She loved to sew, was an excellent cook, and a good dancer - even into her 90’s managing to swing those hips and keep a rhythm without breaking anything…and gave great parties for her family and friends. Always up for a new adventure, she’d pack yet another suitcase for a cruise or trip in the US, the islands and Europe. Mom and Dad took full advantage of the nickel, and penny slots in Las Vegas and Atlantic City. She was the lucky one in the family… and many times came out the “winner”. Once when we were little, with a dime and her intuition; she won an elegantly dressed, porcelain doll from a boardwalk vendor in Seaside.
Mom and Dad belonged to a country club because they loved to dance…and she had a closet full of beautiful, long flowing gowns. She and Dad were the event planners for a while. They engaged theater groups and her creativity blossomed into theme parties for the club, especially around the holidays and particularly New Year’s Eve. She had the vision and dad built the sets!
She was a domestic engineer before the phrase was popular. We relocated several times depending on where dad’s career took us. We lived at 3 locations in New Jersey, 1 in Florida, 1 in Maryland and 2 in Pennsylvania. But Mom kept up her part – usually with a “What, again question” - a smile, an eye roll…and then went to work shaping up a new home. When Dad wanted to build houses she was very active in the design – “I’d like 3 windows here, a large master bedroom, at least 2 bathrooms and the kitchen sink must be in front of a window…etc., etc.!” We had some really beautifully designed homes, which she didn’t want to leave…however, the bunny was on the move and so were we. In seemingly effortless fashion, even though now we understand it wasn’t, she got everything packed, moved and unpacked, and her latest house quickly became our home.
Although she tried a couple of times she didn’t particularly like flying in the small planes Dad loved. That’s where Bob and Linda came in…she was sure her entire family was doomed on the days we all flew together, but she sorted it out and exhaled when we arrived home safely. There is a funny family story about Dad taking a plane trip with his buddies to an out-of-state airshow but neglected to tell Mom he’d be home late. Realizing his error, and facing a cold supper and probably colder shoulder, he cautiously opened the door and threw his hat into the house. Within a fraction of a second, the hat came flying back out! He got the message…then he got “the look”!
She had strong ties to her church and was there every Sunday regardless of the weather. When she could no longer drive, Dad was her chauffeur. Dinners out, dancing with their group of friends and trips to the casinos remained favorite activities for our parent’s into their late 80’s and 90’s. She continued to play and win at the slots, and would “share” her winnings with Dad – she was his lucky charm!
Mom was positive and supportive, our anchor…having a kind heart, a high moral compass and was the minute-to-minute parent completing the family. It was very important to her to look good for her “boyfriend”, as she called Dad, when he came home from work. Her lipstick was on, her hair was combed; he never saw her in curlers. She was a fearless defender of her husband and children, loved and cherished them, and guided them with a firm but gentle hand. Her resolve was her strength and motivated her throughout her life.
Mom embraced and welcomed new additions to the family with all her heart and soul. She loved being a mother-in-law to Lynne (Bob’s wife) and John (Linda’s husband) and delighted in being called grandma by Jeff and Stephanie.
To be nearer their families, Mom and Dad moved from Glen Mills, PA to New Jersey, in late 2009, after almost 40 years. They left behind great neighbors and the religious community at St. Thomas Church in Pennsylvania.
Her beautiful smile and easy laugh were contagious. Her love, enthusiasm and commitment to Dad for 70 years set the standard for strong family values – they were a team and completed each other. Her sense of humor and pride for her family was evident all her life. Today we celebrate her life and the giving of life to us and her grandchildren Jeff and Stephanie. A quote by Helen Keller “what we once enjoyed and deeply loved we can never lose for all that we love deeply become part of us”. We love her and will dearly miss her.
She is survived by her beloved husband of seventy years; Arthur, her son, Robert Di Stasi, wife Lynne; her daughter Linda Di Stasi Schweighardt, husband John; Grandchildren: Jeffrey Di Stasi, wife Jessica, and Stephanie Di Stasi Roewer, husband Ben.
In lieu of flowers, and in celebration of mom’s life, donations noted: In Memory of Ida Di Stasi to Laurelwood Arboretum would be appreciated:
Laurelwood Arboretum
P.O. Box 2433
Wayne, NJ 07470-2433
http://www.laurelwoodarboretum.org/index.htm
Love to all,
Arthur, Robert & Linda
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