|
Post a reply || Back to Message Board Ida M. Alford Clarkson - Class of 1950
Replies to this post No replies yet |
Ida Madlyn Alford Clarkson. November 6, 1932 May 31, 2017 Ida Clarkson died on May 31st, soon after suffering a major stroke. Ida was born in Brooklyn, New York to Henry and Marie Alford. Shortly thereafter, they moved to Newburgh, New York where Ida followed her mother into nursing, becoming an R.N. at St. Luke's Hospital. Ida was compassionate, connective, respectful, and kind with her patients, family, and loved ones (including many pets). Ida met and married Dave Clarkson in 1955, when he was stationed at Stewart Air Force Base as a pilot in the U. S. Air Force. Their two sons, Dave and Doug, were born in 1956 and 1960. Ida, Dave and family followed the odyssey of military life for 20 years, living in California, Florida, Texas, Newfoundland, Canada, and New Hampshire. Ida worked as a nurse at hospitals near where they were stationed. Dave retired in 1970 and the family moved to San Antonio. Dave attended St. Mary's Law School and was a practicing attorney until his death in 2013. In 1976, Ida and Dave were divorced and Ida continued her career in nursing at Audie Murphy VA hospital in San Antonio until she retired in 1984. Dave and Ida remained close and were good friends until Dave's passing. Ida moved to Dallas in 1996 and lived near both of her sons. Ida loved her family and grandchildren, Isabella, Ian, Roman, and Jacqueline. She was extremely proud of her family and her sons, who like their father, are both attorneys. Both sons also received petroleum engineering degrees from UT; a profession that their father was keenly interested and involved in. Ida was a beautiful, well-dressed woman who loved people and laughter. People loved her back and Ida made friends wherever she went. Ida was resilient, never letting her blindness or more recent limited mobility change her outlook. Ida had the most joyous laughing fits; which were genuine, long crescendos with peaks of hilarious howls of laughter followed by quiet chuckles while she tried to subdue herself. Her happiness and laughter were honestly irrepressible, occurring many times in the most inappropriate settings (graduations, church, presentations); she would get tickled by a comment and her giggles soon became all out peals of laughter. Tears would stream down Ida's face while she laughed. It was joyful to see and infectious; many times people nearby could not help but also begin to chuckle. Ida loved life; she was a live wire and embraced living with a passion. Ida is survived by her son, Dave, his wife Elena, and their children Roman and Jacqueline; and by her son Doug, his wife Susan and their children Isabella and Ian. She is also survived by her only sibling, Henry Alford, and his wife Nancy of Louisville, and her nephew Hank Alford, his wife Heather and their children, Olivia, Jackson, and Coleman. Ida was an active member of the First Unitarian Church of Dallas; which provided a loving and supportive congregation particularly in the last several years of her life. Her family is very grateful to the congregation and ministry for the support and care they provided. A memorial to honor Ida will be held at the First Unitarian Church of Dallas, 4015 Normandy Avenue, on Tuesday, June 20th at 2:30 pm with a reception following. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ida's name to the First Unitarian Church of Dallas at 
NFA Class Memorial Page
|
Post a reply || Back to Message Board Ida M. Alford Clarkson - Class of 1950
Replies to this post No replies yet |