Ida May Ainsworth Winter was born on August 11, 1925, perhaps the last child born at home in Big Moose, NY. She was the daughter of Danforth R. Ainsworth, Jr., and Gertrude Mulkins (Oakley) Ainsworth and the youngest of their 5 children. After attending grade school in Big Moose, she graduated from the Town of Webb High School in 1943. She attended the Utica School of Commerce until securing a position as the secretary to the Dean of Admissions at St. Lawrence University.
On September 11, 1949, she married Robert C. Winter, a union that lasted until his death in 1995. They initially lived in the Syracuse area, but in 1955 they returned to Big Moose and took on the ownership and the operation of Ainsworth Lodge.
Ida was devoted to her family, her community, and her church. She held leadership positions in the Jolly Moosers and the Big Moose Community Chapel Board of Trustees, including President of the Board. Ida was a 70 year member of the Eastern Stars and a past Matron of Dewey Old Forge Chapter 449, Order of the Eastern Star, State of New York, as well as being appointed as NYS Grand Representative to the State of Idaho. She was active in many other organizations including the American Legion Auxiliary and the Town of Webb Historical Association.
Ida was quick to laugh, and always ready to help a neighbor or a stranger. She made everyone feel welcome in her home and no one ever left hungry! She was fiercely proud of her Big Moose heritage and remained in her home there until her ninetieth year. Then she joined Nancy and Larry in their home in Chesapeake, VA until she became a resident at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Virginia Beach.
Left to cherish many fond memories are her three children: Rob Winter (Jen) in Fayetteville, NY; Virginia Winter (Bill Rivers) in Boulder, CO; and Nancy Winter Traynor (Larry) in Chesapeake, VA. She especially enjoyed happy times with her grandchildren: Sarah Crawford (Lachlan), Jessica Geary (Denny), Andrew Traynor (Cindy), Maren Winter, and Eve Winter. She leaves four great grandchildren: Madelyn Crawford, Cora Crawford, Dakota Traynor, and Abigail Geary; one niece, Gloria Winter Dittler; and many dear friends, too numerous to list.
Ida Winter passed peacefully from her earthly life on Sunday, June 25, 2023. She had a long life, well lived, and was blessed to die from natural causes. The funeral service will take place at the Big Moose Community Chapel at 11:00 am on Saturday, July 15, 2023. The burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery in Old Forge. A reception will be held at the Little Fox from 1:00 to 3:30 pm, with the family returning from the cemetery around 1:30.
Expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations to:
Big Moose Community Chapel, PO Box 209, Eagle Bay, NY 13331
Big Moose Fire Company, 1449 Big Moose Rd, Eagle Bay, NY 13331
Or the Town of Webb Historical Association, PO Box 513, Old Forge, NY 13420
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