Helen "Ida" Farrell Obituary (1920

Helen "Ida" Farrell, 94, of South Philadelphia passed away peacefully at 11 am on Friday, July 11, 2014. Ida was born in Philadelphia, PA, on January 3, 1920, to the late Joseph and Lillian Kraus. She married the late Joseph F. Farrell, Sr. on July 5, 1941. During World War II, Ida worked in a supervisory position at the United States Naval Base in Philadelphia and was most proud of her participation in the construction and commissioning of the battleship USS Wisconsin. A good athlete and keen sports fan, she was a key member of the 1944 Navy Yard Championship softball team, playing a variety of positions. During the 1950's and beyond, Ida was a homemaker who instilled her cardinal values of hard work and traditional morality into her children, Joseph, Tim, Susan and Mary. She also suffered the loss of a son, Kevin, shortly after his birth. During this time she performed volunteer work at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church. After the death of her husband in 1973, Ida was employed by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia until her retirement at the age of 90 in 2010. Ida was a respected and well-known member of the community and could frequently be found at church - or watching her beloved Phillies on TV. She was a tremendous help to those who were sick, providing assistance to her parents, siblings and friends in times of need. In addition to reading non-fiction and watching news and sports on TV, Ida enjoyed playing board games with all the children in the family. She liked to read stories to them and loved to sing and whistle tunes. She loved spending summers in Wildwood, NJ and tales of her fun-filled antics with her sister Lillian could fill several volumes. An amazingly intelligent woman with vast practical knowledge, an arithmetical mind and an endless memory, Ida maintained this mental sharpness until the end.Ida was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Joseph F. Farrell, Sr., sons Kevin and Joseph, Jr., brothers John Kraus and Joseph Kraus, and sisters Katherine Kraus and Caroline Kraus. Ida is survived by three children; Dr. Timothy P. (Barbara) Farrell, of Williamsburg, VA, Susan Farrell, of Philadelphia, and Mary (Joe Talucci) Farrell, of Philadelphia; four grandchildren; Joseph, Colleen, Kevin and John and three great-grandchildren; Karlie, Jaidyn and Justin. She is also survived by her sisters Lillian Murray and Mary Noonan, sister-in-law Gloria Farrell Sandusky, brother-in-law James Sandusky and "bonus" daughters Barbara Heimbacher and Mary Corazo. Relatives and friends are invited to her viewing Thursday morning 9 - 10:50am at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church (1404 S.3rd St. Phila., PA 19147.).Funeral Mass 11am. Int. Sts: Peter and Paul Cem., Family requests memorial donations in her memory be made to Sacred Heart of Jesus Church. Funeral Home Murphy Ruffenach Brian W. Donnelly Funeral Home, PC. 2237-41 South Third St. Philadelphia PA - 19148 US (215) 334-1578