Ida Pitarresi, 85, of Wheatfield, NY passed away on Saturday December 24th, 2011 at Buffalo General Hospital in Buffalo, NY. Born in Paisley, Scotland she was the daughter of the late John and Ida (Lang) Murray.

Ida attended local schools in Paisley and as a teenager she worked at the knitting mills in Scotland. After World War II she migrated to a suburb of Toronto, Canada where she worked for several years.

Ida moved to Niagara Falls, NY in 1950. After moving here, she went for her Naturalization Papers and became a United States citizen on December 5th, 1955. She worked at several plants in the area and in August of 1950 started to work for the Carborundum Company. She eventually became a Production Supervisor in the Heating Element and Igniter Division at their Globar Plant for forty years until her retirement in 1987.

On February 6, 1965 she married her loving husband, John S. Pitarresi. They resided in the Town of Lewiston for many years before moving to Wheatfield, NY in 2005. Ida enjoyed life, and traveling with her husband to many countries, and across the United States. She loved her snowbird escapes from the winters to long stays in Myrtle Beach, SC. She enjoyed taking crusises to many countries of interest and went on her last cruise in March with her loving niece, Sandy. Ida also enjoyed family gatherings, gardening and helping her many friends.

Ida was an ardent volunteer at the John Duke Senior Center in Niagara Falls for over twenty years. She received many certificates and citations for her services there and as a member of HANCI. She was an officer of the Cataract Lodge #240 Italian Sons and Daughters of America, a member of Re-United Seniors, the Socialites and the Casa Colombo Ladies Association. Ida also enjoyed working at the Polling Places throughout Niagara County.

Ida is survived by her niece, Sandy (Gerry) Signore of Wheatfield, NY; great- nephews, Douglas (Keren) Abel, Nicholas (Michelle) Abel; her great-great-nieces Allana and Addison Abel. She is also survived by four step-children: Linda Pitarresi, Kathleen (James) Weixlmann, John M. (Paula) Pitarresi, and Dr. James M. (Glenna) Pitarresi, and eight grand-step children. Ida is also survived by her dear friend, Eva Rapisardi. She is predeceased by her husband, John S. Pitarresi; sisters Margaret (Alex) Kerr, Sadie (Robert) Cleland, and Elsie Murray.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday from 3 – 8 PM at the M.J. COLUCCI & SON NIAGARA FUNERAL CHAPEL, 2730 MILITARY ROAD NIAGARA FALLS, NY 14304. Funeral services will be celebrated on Thursday December 29th at 11:15AM followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 12 NOON in Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph Parish at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, 27th Street at Independence Ave. Entombment in St. Joseph's Cemetery, Niagara Falls, NY. If desired memorial donations may be made to the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph Parish at St. Joseph's Church Restoration Fund, 1413 Pine Avenue Niagara Falls, NY 14301.