| Ida Clark Walker |
| 10/15/2014 |
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Ida Clark Wakefield Walker, age 89, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 15, 2014. A native of Pittsburgh, PA and long-time resident of Boston’s South End neighborhood, Ida was surrounded by the love and care of her five children, granddaughter, in-laws, close friends and compassionate medical providers at the Massachusetts General and Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospitals. Ida was born on July 8, 1925 in Pittsburgh, the youngest daughter of the late Vernice Kinsey Wakefield and Clark Woodworth Wakefield, MD. She was preceded in death by her beloved sisters, Virginia Clark Wakefield of Pittsburgh and Ellen Jane Jackson of Columbus, OH. Ida benefited from an extraordinary upbringing and education. She attended the Ursuline Academy through high school and was a favorite student of the school’s legendary educator, Mother Dymphna. She also attended the Carnegie Tech program for young artists before entering Marymount College, Tarrytown, NY, where she obtained a BA with honors in Fine Arts. She later obtained a Master’s degree in teaching at the University of Pittsburgh. Her formative years were greatly enhanced by the example of her father, a dedicated physician, who exposed her to the needs and diverse backgrounds of his patients. Ida inherited from her parents grace, style, humor and a sense of responsibility for and acceptance of others. After graduating, Ida traveled extensively in Europe, eventually returning to Pittsburgh where she worked as an art teacher, advertising copywriter and art conservator, serving as a respected decorative arts expert and muralist. In 1957, she married the late Henry Magers Walker of Baltimore, MD. Together, they raised five children who worshipped their mother. Ida was always present for her husband and children yet also found great fulfillment working outside the home. Over the years, she worked in a variety of roles to help support her family, including teaching, working at Johns Hopkins and Brown Universities, being a long-time editor and proofreader and, later, her work with her husband in estate management brought her to many parts of the country. In her retirement years, Ida kept busy. She was a volunteer docent at the Rose Nichols House Museum in Beacon Hill and a member of a close-knit water aerobics group at the Wang YMCA. An avid reader, she was a long-time member of the Boston Athenaeum, frequently attending their author talks and events. She lent her voice to help protect affordable housing in the South End during a period of rapid gentrification and change. A fair and articulate advocate, Ida engaged a cross section of neighbors to help preserve the diverse fabric of the South End. Ida was deeply committed to her civic responsibilities, never missing an opportunity to vote despite the handicaps of age. The Ward 5 polling station workers always delighted in her arrival on Election Days. Ida had a talent for staying in touch with lifelong friends and establishing new relationships wherever she went. Most recently, Ida was a treasured friend to many at the Rogerson Roslindale Adult Day Health Program (“school”). When not at Rogerson or visiting family, Ida enjoyed the company of her beloved long-time caregivers and friends, Sara Asmeron and Nighile “Queenie” Ghisti. Sara and Queenie greatly enhanced Ida’s quality of life by helping her stay active and engaged. Throughout her rich life, Ida was guided by her unwavering faith in God and in her fellow man. She was a thoughtful listener and never met a stranger. Often traveling off the beaten path, Ida had unlimited curiosity about places yet to see and people yet known. “There hath passed a glory from the earth.” Ida leaves behind her devoted children, Hally Walker of Boston, MA, H. Magers Walker of Newton, MA, Joshua Wakefield Walker of Reading, MA, Anastasia Walker of Melrose, MA, Discretion Winter of Metuchen, NJ; her granddaughters, Honor Winter and Millayisha Walker; her daughters-in-law, Kathleen Walker and Janet Coppola Walker; and her son-in-law, Conrad Winter. Funeral services are scheduled for Wednesday, October 22 at 11 AM at Trinity Church, Copley Square, in the City of Boston. Visitation will be available in the baptistery starting at 10 AM. A private burial will be held at Saters Church in Lutherville, MD. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Rogerson Roslindale Adult Day Health Program in Roslindale, MA (www.rogerson.org).
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