Ida P. Howell

Ida P. Howell passed away February 13, 2023, at her home in Fort Myers, Florida where she lived with her sister Angela (Tena) Santo for the past 22 years. Ida was born in 1924, the daughter of Fred and Ida Maestri, she always said she had the best parents anyone could wish for. The Maestri family were immigrants from Italy that settled in Brooklyn, NY. Ida could not speak English when she started elementary school, but she learned quickly and skipped a grade in school.

Ida spent her early years in Norwalk, Connecticut after the family moved from NY. She lived in Norwalk for more than 70 years. She graduated from Norwalk High School in 1942. She was very proud to have had the lead role in the Senior Class play. During World War II she joined a USO group that entertained wounded soldiers.

During her lifetime Ida worked at Western Union in Westport, CT and later served as the Controller of the Bradley Oldsmobile, Cadillac and Jaguar dealerships. Later in life, Ida and her husband owned and operated the Cedar General Store in South Norwalk, CT for a number of years. At the age of 60 after her husband, Charles passed away, Ida returned to the workforce as a Teller at Connecticut National Bank until her retirement at age 66.

The place in life Ida loved most was as mother to her two sons, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was truly adored by her family and loved by friends and neighbors.

Ida is survived by her son, Charlie (wife Sandra), her sister Angela (Tena) Santo, and her three granddaughters, Michelle Howell Virtue (husband Dave), Jennifer Riley (husband Mike), and Jesse Rosenschein (husband Mike). She is also survived by three great-grandsons: Brandon Riley, Tristan Rosenschein and Keegan Rosenschein, as well as nephews Christopher Maestri and Anthony Santo and niece Michelle Maestri. Ida was predeceased by her husband, Charles Franklin Howell and her son Fred Howell, as well as her brothers John Maestri and Fred Maestri.

The family wishes to express special thanks to Tena Santo, Carol Greeney and Ellen Sutherland for providing loving and compassionate care 24/7 for Ida during her final days in in homecare Hospice.

Tena as sister and lifelong friend to Ida, held a special place in Ida's heart, known to vigorously debate politics and other subjects they had a very special bond. Ida often said that she “could not have had better, more caring or devoted sister than Tena.”

A private graveside service will be held at a later date at Riverside Cemetery in Norwalk, CT.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or Shriners Hospitals for Children.