Ida Chiarelli, beloved mother, grandmother and great grandmother passed away peacefully at home on August 1 surrounded by her loved ones. She was 102 years young.

One of four siblings, Ida was born in northern Italy in 1922 and arrived in America in 1930. She was only 7 1/2  years old, taught herself English and graduated from P.S. 1 and Seward Park High School with high honors.

Ida met the love of her life Joseph Chiarelli on the lower east side. They married in 1944, raised their family in Rosedale Queens and then retired to Stony Brook wintering in Lake Worth, Florida.

Ida Chiarelli leaves behind her three children Russell (Petrina) Chiarelli, Patricia Voll and Joette Behrmann as well as 8 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. She adored each and every one. Her perpetual smile, epic hugs and zest for life were her hallmarks.

Ida was one of a kind and was loved by every person who had the honor to meet her. She was truly the stuff of legends and will be greatly missed.

Visitation will be held at St. James Funeral Home on Monday August 5 from 2:00-4:00 PM and 7:00-9:00 PM.

The funeral service will take place on Tuesday August 6th at St. Phillip and James at 10:15 AM

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the National MS Society.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.