Ida Parker

Ida was the type of person that would never ask life for a lighter burden, but rather for larger shoulders to bear it. The rock of her family, her selfless nature was always apparent when she put the needs of others before hers. And any time she found herself upset, a few decades of the rosary always brought her solace. To say her home in Riverside was clean and orderly would be an understatement, even when she wasn’t able to walk she mopped from a chair. And it’s here in her kitchen where she crafted her Polish delights. Her kitchen often smelled of perogies, gulumpkis and kruschiki and on Christmas Eve she always made the Polish Peasants’ Meal. But no meal was complete without dessert; any kind of cake or ice cream would do. Even ‘mommom sandwiches’ tasted better when she made them; her secret ingredient she said was love. rnAs a girl, Ida met young man named James. And although she turned down many of his advances, his persistence would eventually win her heart. Before his passing in 1975, their lives were blessed by their children: James R. of Palmyra, Larry of Riverside and Charlene Lazaruk (Bruce) of Riverside. Ida is also survived by her grandchildren: Lauren, Brian, Mindy, Paula, Jennifer and Eric, her great-grandson Thomas, her sister-in-law Dolores Freynik and her devoted niece Tina Freynik. rnCome celebrate Ida’s 89 wonderful years Monday 8-10 AM at the Sweeney Funeral Home, Riverside. Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 10:30 at St. Casimir Church, New Jersey Ave., Riverside. Interment St. Peter’s Cemetery, Riverside. In lieu of flowers memorial gifts may be made to Catholic Charities 383 W. State St., Trenton, NJ 08618. rn