Ida Masone Comparin, 96, of Blacksburg, Virginia passed away in Beaver Falls on January 15th, 2025. She was born in Jamaica, New York on Oct. 20th, 1928. She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Fannie Masone, two sisters, Mae and Eleanor, two brothers, Michael and Dominic, and her husband of 59 years, Robert Anton Comparin of Blacksburg, Virginia. She is survived by son and daughter-in-law Robert and Leesa of Camden, Ohio, daughter and son-in-law, Evelyn and George Lee Gower, of Beaver Falls, son and daughter in-law, Thomas and Carol Conyers of Schenectady, New York, son and daughter-in-law, James and Rhonda of Niceville, Florida, daughter and son-in-law, Nancy and Rick Fondriest of Alexandria, Virginia, eight grandchildren: Arianne, Virginia and Benjamin Gower; William Comparin, Blake Henderson, Jacob, Joseph and Joshua Fondriest, her devoted niece, Carolann Masone, and many other loving nieces and nephews and their spouses.

Ida always had a love of reading and aspired to be a librarian.  She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Queens College, New York and a Master of Library Science from Columbia University.  After graduation in 1953, she went to Japan for two years as a Special Services Librarian. Her career later included reference librarian at Purdue University, co-director of Montgomery Regional Library, and acting director of Montgomery-Floyd Regional Library. Ida retired in 1994 but continued to support the library as a volunteer. She remained an avid reader and was a member of a book club in Blacksburg for over 50 years.

Throughout her life, Ida enjoyed experiencing new places.  She treasured her time working in Japan, exploring European cities when she and Bob lived in Switzerland, and later traveling to China with Bob for a university trip. She made wonderful homes for the family in each of the six states where they lived.  She enjoyed traveling in the United States, especially her trips to Alaska and the Grand Canyon.

Ida fell in love with the theatre as a young woman in New York City and passed along that passion to all her children. She was a champion of the arts and supported many professional theatre groups. In her final years at both Warm Hearth Village in Virginia and Cambridge Village in Pennsylvania, Ida appreciated the performances the facilities hosted.

Ida valued community. She developed lasting relationships with her neighbors, went out for coffee with her aerobics buddies each week, played bridge into her 90s, and was part of a group that prayed the rosary together. Ida was known for her cooking from the many dinner parties she and Bob hosted. Her transition into assisted living was easy because of the welcoming and active communities she found there.

A constant strength throughout Ida’s life was her faith in God and being a member of the Catholic church. She was a daily communicant for 10 years before she got married.  Near the end of her life, she no longer read books or magazines, but she still read a Catholic devotional every day. Her favorite Bible verse was, “And now these three remain, faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13

Ida said that she could not have succeeded in life without the help of others. Foremost was her family, who encouraged and supported her to be the first in her family to go to college. In gratitude, Ida made it a point to encourage others. She often said, “It’s important to compliment people and let them know they’re doing a good job.” She also gave of her time and resources to enable others to succeed as she had.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Ida’s name to the Montgomery Floyd Regional Library, 125 Sheltman Street, Christiansburg, VA 24073, or by giving of yourself to help someone else succeed.  A memorial service will be held, at a date to be announced later, at McCoy Funeral Home, 150 Country Club Drive, Blacksburg, Virginia. Arrangements have been entrusted to the J&J Spratt Funeral Home, 1612 Third Avenue, New Brighton.