Ida Marie Chico

Ida Marie DeFelice Chico passed away on June 20, 2016, at her home, surrounded by her daughters. Ida was born on September 8, 1931, the child of Adolpho DeFelice and Concetta Perilli DeFelice. Ida and her brother, the late Mario DeFelice, were "first generation" Italian-Americans. Ida spoke the Italian language fluently and throughout her life nurtured and maintained relationships with her Mother's relatives who live in and around Rome and what was the province of Abruzzi. She attended St. Francis grade school and Morgantown High School and graduated with the class of 1949. She organized and attended class reunions over the next 50 years. After graduation Ida worked as a circuit clerk and told her children stories of the courtroom dramas of the times. Ida married Samuel Chico Jr. on June 21, 1958. Sam passed away in 2013. June 21, 2016, would have marked their 58th wedding anniversary. Sam was her dearest love, her companion and she was a most devoted wife. Sam described their marriage partnership this way: "Ida handles all of the little problems and I handle all of the big ones but we have not had a big problem come up yet!" Ida liked to tell how she asked a girl friend to fix her up with "that Sam Chico because he can dance." And dance they did. They favored the big band sound and their specialty was the "Jitterbug." The duo twirled and spun in synchrony across the dance floor as members of the Beau Monde Club at the Mon General Hospital Ball of the Year, more Italian and Greek weddings than could be counted, and any other time they had an excuse to cut-a-rug. Ida was an extremely generous, loving, proud and doting mother to each of their 6 children and 23 grandchildren. Nonna's kitchen was warm, welcoming and filled with the aroma of scrumptious comfort foods, all sorts, savory and sweet from her eggplant parmigiana to fruit and cream pies made with a crust Martha Stewart would envy. Ida supported her children and their children in all their endeavors and escapades. She attended countless school plays, musical concerts, dance recitals, sporting events and birthday parties. She took a front row seat at each baptism, first holy communion, confirmation, graduation and wedding. Ida had an especially tender heart for her sons-in-law, whom she laughed with, cooked with, traveled with and fully enjoyed. There was never a more loyal friend or trusted confident. When sought, she offered sage wisdom with a pragmatic twist. Honesty was her hallmark. If you did not want to hear the truth from Ida, one should not ask. Ida also found time to be involved in the Morgantown community. She was an active member of the Valley Hills Garden Club and held positions of secretary and president. As a life-time member of the Mon General Hospital Auxiliary, Ida chaired the Ball of the Year and Hospital Tea fundraisers and pulled her family into the effort. She sent each of her children through Saint Francis Grade School and High School and she and her husband's dedication to the School is to be recognized this Saturday at the Saint Francis School Annual Reunion Weekend Hall of Fame Banquet. A devout Roman Catholic, Ida was a member of the Catholic Daughters and participated in many ministries at her parish, Saint Mary: she was a eucharistic minister and delivered the sacrament of communion to the sick she sang in the choir and was a cantor Ida headed a team of friends who cooked meals for church gatherings and funeral receptions, serving pasta with her homemade sauce, meatballs, sausage and peppers and fried chicken she cleaned, starched and pressed alter linens and insisted on taking her turn during the Advent season, the busiest time on the church calendar and she lead the committee that designed and created church banners, alter flowers and decor suitable for the liturgical time. It is fitting then that Ida's family and friends gather to give praise and thanks to God for Christ's victory over sin and death, to commend Ida to God's tender mercy and compassion, and to seek strength in the proclamation of everlasting life at the Mass of Christian Burial at Saint Mary Roman Catholic Church, 3334 University Avenue, Morgantown, West Virginia 26505 on Friday, June 24, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. Friends and family will be received at the Dering-Henson Funeral Home, 156 Foundry Street, Morgantown West Virginia, 26505 on Thursday, June 23, 2016, from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and on Friday, June 24, from 9:30 a.m.to 10:45 a.m. at St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church prior to mass. Entombment will follow mass in the St. Mary's Peace Gardens. In memory of Ida, family and friends may, if they so desire, send donations to St. Francis School, 41 Guthrie Lane, Morgantown, West Virginia 26508 or to St. Mary Roman Catholic Church Building Fund, 3334B University Avenue, Star City, West Virginia 26505. Condolences may be offered online at www.dering-henson.com Caring services are provided by Dering-Henson Funeral Home.

Ida passed on June 20, 2016

Visitation at Dering-Henson funeral Home from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Thursday, June 23, 2016

Services will be held on June 24, 2016

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