Ida (Stoffan) Trivelis was born in a little village in Greece called Trikala on January 1st, 1936. Her parents were Michael Stoffan and Zoe (Foufa) Stoffan. Her father came to America in the early 1900’s at a young age to work since he was one of 12 children and needed to support his family living in Greece. He worked hard as a waiter in many upscale hotels in New York City. After many years of working hard and saving his money, he decided to go back to Greece. There, he met and married Zoe Foufa. They had three daughters, Tina, Alice and Haitho (Ida). Following the Great Depression and when Ida was a toddler, her father decided to move his family back to the United States for a better life. They settled in New York City, at Central Park West 45th Street and planted their roots in America.

Michael continued to work as a waiter and Zoe worked as a seamstress. They provided their family a good life. Michael and Zoe both went to school and became citizens. When Ida became a pre-teen, her father decided to move his family to Philadelphia and went into the restaurant and tavern business with his brother in law George Mazas. They lived near Front and Diamond streets surrounded by many other Greek families. They became part of the St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Philadelphia and remained loyal parishioners.

In 1954, Ida met Zino Trivelis. They married in September 1955 at St. George Cathedral and remained in Philadelphia. Ida worked as an executive secretary to numerous Presidents and CEOs of industry. In January 1958, Ida and Zino gave birth to twin boys, James (Demetrious) and Michael. Needless to say, Ida needed much help so her mother and father returned from Greece after a short retirement. They lived on Lawndale Street in the Juanita Park section of Philadelphia. During her time there, Ida met a young girl named Ann Harmon. Ida became her mentor and loyal friend for almost 60 years.

In the Spring of 1960, Ida and Zino, the twins and grandparents moved to Clark Street in Northeast Philadelphia. There, they raised their boys also with the help of her uncle George, aunt Marina and cousins Billy and Jean who happened to move to the home next door. Raising twins was a challenge but Ida’s mom Zoe was a blessing and constant provider of help and faith. In 1965, Ida and Zino had a daughter, Joanne. Joanne was the perfect daughter, sister and granddaughter and a welcome break from the twins. Ida also was lucky to have her sister Tina and her family live down the street as well as her other sister Alice and her family who lived nearby. Thus, she was constantly surrounded by her family, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Ida’s sons went on to college and graduated. Her son Michael married Renee in 1981 who happened to be the daughter of Ida’s dear friend Ann Marmarou-Trantas who she knew from High School and they remained life-long friends. Joanne went on to nursing school and graduated to become an incredible nurse whose skills became valuable as she helped her father with his numerous medical conditions. In 1985, Michael and Renee had their first child, Kristina. She became the joy of Ida and Zino’s life. In 1992, Jim married Lisa Kirifides and had a son in 1993, Nicholas who added to her joy as a grandmother. Later in 1996, Michael and Renee had a son Michael and Jim and Lisa had a daughter Lexi. Needless to say, all of Ida and Zino’s grandchildren became the light of their lives and they enjoyed watching them grow up to be fine young people. Ida adored her children, daughter in laws and her grandchildren.

Zino, unfortunately had to deal with diabetes and was in and out of hospitals during his retirement years. Luckily, he had a wonderful daughter that was a nurse who cared for him dearly. In December 2002, Zino passed away. It was a very difficult time but Ida managed through it with her faith, her daughter Joanne who remained with her and her extended family. A few years later, Ida sold her house on Clark street and lived with Joanne in Newtown, PA. They lived there for several years until Joanne met John Dell and they married in January 2015. Ida was extremely happy that Joanne met and married such a fine man. John and Joanne asked Ida to live with them and Joanne cared for her mom endlessly following her diagnosis and challenges with Esophageal Cancer.

In May of 2016, Ida was blessed with her first great grandchild, Brian. She was taken by this little boy and said that her life was complete. She continued to have struggles with her cancer but always believed in her faith and the joy of having her family beside her. Ida was also blessed and adored by all including her sisters (Tina and Alice), sister in laws (Irene, Evelyn and Valerie), brother in laws (Sam, John, Mike and Tony), nieces (Georgia, Bessie, Alex, Joyce, Anna, Dee, Katie and Ann), nephews (Michael, Harry, Paul, Stacy and John), cousins (Jean and Bill) and so many dear and caring friends. She constantly maintained and believed that she had the greatest family and that she had no regrets in her life. She left us on November 6th with her family beside her and with so many great memories and treasures. She will be dearly missed but she knew she would be greeted in heaven by her parents and husband. She was a true testament to being the most wonderful and unselfish mother. There is not a day that will go by that we won’t think of her and how truly blessed we were to have had her in our lives as a mother, grandmother, aunt, cousin and friend. May you rest in peace Mom and may your memory be Eternal.