Ida Humphrey

Ida A. Humphrey aka "Big Ida", "Little Momma", "Grandma Shorty"

Ida Humphrey left us peacefully in her sleep on December 12th, 2024.

She will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt, and friend.

Ida was born Ida Ulman Abrams to Ernest and Rose Abrams in Richmond, VA. on August 4, 1928, and was raised in Hopewell, VA. After graduating high school in 1945, she attended Duke University to study Pre-Law and Accounting. While working in Oak Ridge TN, Ida met and married Howard Kraig, a Nuclear Engineer and the love of her life. Within a year, they moved to Fort Worth, TX and started their family with baby daughter, Ellen, of whom many, many proud pictures were taken! David came next while Howard worked near Idaho Falls, Idaho, and then off to New Jersey where Bobby and Barbara were born.

After a short residence near Pittsburgh, the family moved to Los Alamos, New Mexico and loved the green chile and the high desert of the southwest. Tragically, in 1969, Howard died at 43 leaving Ida a single mom. She persevered and was hired in the Payroll Department at Los Alamos Scientific Labs (LASL), working full time while raising 4 children. Ida loved the Native American Storyteller sculpture because it reminded her of raising 4 kids by herself. Her children quickly learned to be independent and self-sufficient and were encouraged to become anything they wanted.

She was mischievous and convinced the younger children that she was a Commando because somehow, she always knew when they were trying to sneak up on her (spoiler, she could see their reflection in the window and stainless steel stove hood!).

When she was 4 years old, Ida observed the inaugural parade for Franklin Roosevelt from her uncle's furniture store. This may have sparked her lifelong active involvement in politics. She devoted much time working with the League of Women Voters, Los Alamos Jewish Center, Hadassah, and the Democratic Party, and was elected to serve on the Los Alamos County Council. She loved bowling (earning a 200+ pin), playing bridge, and Mah Jongh. She described herself as an athlete and was a softball player. Her assertions of being a good volleyball player at 4'11" have not been verified independently and, instead, were questioned mercilessly by her evil children.

Not wishing to live alone, Ida joined Parents Without Partners and after a bit of dating and a lot of square dancing, she married Dick Humphrey, also a LASL employee with 4 children of his own. In the mid-1980s, Ida and Dick retired to Albuquerque where Ida remained active with Temple Albert, Hadassah, and Meals on Wheels. Dick and Ida were especially fond of driving around their neighborhood at night and seeing how many other peoples' garage doors their opener would operate. One night, Ida was ecstatic that they had opened 7 doors! In 2008, Ida and Dick moved into La Vida Llena (LVL) Independent Living where she enjoyed bridge and they enjoyed socializing. They

continued to square dance and travel the world until Richard passed away in January 2023.

Ida's final time was made as good as could be hoped for by the wonderful caring staff in Mi Casa at LVL, visits by her children, Sandy, and other friends.

Ida is survived by 4 children; Ellen and her husband (David Kolodrubetz), David and his wife (Karen Griego-Kraig), Robert, and Barbara and her husband (Dennis Stover), 2 grandchildren; Michael Kolodrubetz (wife Hiva) and Daniel Kolodrubetz (wife Alyssa Bivins); 2 great grandchildren (Sophia and Caleb Kolodrubetz); 3 step-children, Cathy (husband Minolis), Andy, and Rosanne (husband Paul) Humphrey; and three nieces/nephew (Carol Abrams, Laurie Serenkin, and Paul Goldberg).

Ida's memory will live on in friends and family whom she has touched during her more than 96 years.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Ida's memory can be made to The League of Women Voters or to a charity of your choosing.