Ida and I met when she was a legal secretary at a law firm and I was a go-fer.  I was in law school and she knew more about legal procedure than I ever would.  I never would have stayed as long as I did with that firm but for her, as the partners were disorganized and sexist.  She helped me fit in and understand how I could get by, valuable lessons for my eventual nearly 40 year career as a lawyer.  My husband and I got married at her Encino estate, the marriage in her front yard and the reception in the back.  We were best friends for years, and her strength through everything was an inspiration to me.  We lost contact after Marty died and I moved to Orange County, which is a tremendous regret to me.  I miss her, but know that she is at peace and getting her very well-deserved rest.  I love you, Ida and ... thanks for everything.

Ida volunteer coordinator when I started hospice She was so full of live energy and was always supportive of our patients needs Her ability to connect with others was amazing    I am so grateful to have known her and will carry with me all the things she taught me about caring for others 

The first time that I was introduced to Ida, was through my fiend , Melvin Allen, who was a Hospice volunteer at the time for Trinity Care Hospice. I immediately took to  her the moment we met! She exuded genuine warmth & love for people, & after our initial meeting , suggested that I would be a good match for Hospice care! During those first few months of training back in 2008, she took ne under her wing, imparting her knowledge with a deep sense of kindness & support , especially when I was given my first patient to care for ! She was funny, generous, loving ,caring & always put others first !Like many who knew her, I will miss her gentle guidance, advice & generosity of spirit !Thank you, Ida, for everything that you gave me. I will miss you very much ! R I P !

Ida, you were so welcoming when I became a hospice volunteer and you had such a knack for matching your volunteers with patients that you just knew we would make a great connection with. You fed us so well at the volunteer meetings, and I'll never forget the mafia funeral we attended together. And when I decided to go to nursing school you (and Harriet) were my biggest cheerleaders. I think your enthusiastic letter of recommendation was a key to my being accepted. And then when I was looking for a nursing job you introduced me to your network and within weeks I was hired. There's a clear pattern here, in my note and everyone's: Ida always wanting to help others. I get a warm feeling when I think of the reception a soul like you gets on the other side! Thank you Ida for sharing your joy with all of us!

Ida and I knew each other for many years and we were friends before we were coworkers. We were introduced by our dear friend Terry Noah. Ida always made me feel special and we would talk for hours  while driving home from work. She Always put other people first and showed me great friendship over the years. Words really don’t do her justice.  I love you my friend and I will miss you so very much

I met Ida thru my stepfather George Ferrari. Over the years Ida became like a mother to me.
I will always remember spending birthdays, and holidays, and the wonderful trips to the wine country in Temecula, and the sights of Sedona.
These memories of Ida I will cherish in my heart forever. 

Steve and Barb often went to Sedona with George and Ida, a spiritual journey every time. I snapped this near Slide Rock December 2019.
Ida, we can't thank you enough for including us in your life. We will miss you dearly but  your spirit, like these memories will always be with us.

Last January, Steve and Barbara Garwood met Ida and George for a week at Jensen Beach Florida.  Here we are looking for Manatees on a boat skippered by Captain John. I asked the two to turn around and smile, I 'd always add "Pretend you're having fun." We sure had a lot of fun together.
Some of our happiest travels included these two. We traveled to Sedona (many times), Hawaii, Las Vegas,  Cambria, took a cruise to Alaska. In each case Ida was the designated "Trip Commander," setting everything up, all we had to do was show up with a credit card.

I first met Ida when she "hired" me to be a hospice volunteer for Trinity Providence Hospice.  Her gentle instruction paved the way for me to learn how to serve a community in need to the best of my ability.  She was kind, generous, and loving, and it was with much sadness that I learned of her passing.  The world needs more people like Ida.

So sorry to hear of the passing of Ida. I worked with her in hospice care and she was passionate about serving the needs of our patients and families. May your memories warm your heart and your love remain everlasting. Rev. Dr. Linda C. Day

In 2005, I had just completed my Heart Touch Therapy Training, a process of offering compassionate, sacred gentle massage to the dying. The organization connected me with Ida, who was a volunteer coordinator for hospice. 

She set me up with several people who were in hospice in their final weeks. It was the first time I had sat with someone on their death bed and this was quite vulnerable for me. To say I was scared and intimated offering compassionate loving heart touch in moments when the body was decaying was an understatement.  In that vulnerability, Ida was so present with me offering such kindness and support. She listened to my fears, reassured me that what I was feeling was normal. Ida was a protective mama who was making sure I was practicing self-care. 

I was also a yoga teacher and developed a practice called Grief Yoga. Ida loved the concept and was so supportive. She connected me with other volunteer associations that I offered classes. 

Ida had dealt with so much loss and death in her life, but when she came to me for yoga classes, it was about her frustrations with her physical limitations. Ida was dealing with so much physical pain and issues. Her grief was that her body wasn’t co-operating. She had a lot of sadness how her body was slowly declining, and she felt her body wasn’t cooperating with her. Yet she remained optimistic and hopeful.  We worked a lot on balance.

Just as she taught me how to be with the dying with loving kindness, I was doing the same for her, to be with her where she was and to shift and adjust to what was safe and comfortable for her.

I was Ida’s yoga teacher, but she was also my teacher. Ida taught me how to be present, kind and curious to those who are in end of life. To meet them where they’re at. Ida taught me that even though the body has pain, and loss is all around, you can still have fun, play and find some pleasure in the moment. 

I hope to carry on her sweetness moving forward.  


I met Ida while she was at Providence and it was pure pleasure getting to know her.  What an optimistic and friendly force she was not just with me, but with everyone!  She always had a 125% 'can do' spirit and then 'did do!'    And the driving she did?  Amazing.  Heartfelt prayers to her precious family and friends.   I know she will be missed.     

As a Providence TrinityCare Hospice volunteer, I had many occasions in which to get to know Ida.  She was so spunky, funny and yet seriously dedicated to our patients, families and volunteers.  She really cared!  

She and I kept in touch for a while after she retired.  I miss her.  My condolences to her close friends and family.

I am attaching a photo of Ida at one of our Volunteer Appreciation Luncheons held at the Toyota Museum.  Paul Denniston, our guest speaker, led a Grief Yoga demonstration.

Oh Ida. I fell in love with you the moment I met you. You taught me how to be a compassionate hospice volunteer, one of the experiences in my life that continues to hold  deep meaning for me. I will always remember your open heart, happy smile and laugh, and sincere warmth and affection for everyone.  May you sail peacefully into the mystic.

OBITUARY

Ida Belle Vernay

July 16, 1940 – December 25, 2020

Gates, Kingsley & Gates Praiswater Mortuary

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