Ida Aho Van Natten

February 2, 1917 - February 2, 2017

GLENVILLE – Ida Aho Van Natten, 100, passed away Thursday, February 2, 2017, at Ellis Hospital due to a fall outside her home. Ida was born Irja Aho in Philadelphia, PA on October 16, 1916, to Finnish parents Kalle 'Carl' and Hulda Ranantan Aho. The family located to Scotia during Ida's young years, starting a new life. She was employed for many years at the E-Z Wash as a dry cleaning attendant on Maxon Road. Her long life was filled to the brim with fun and laughter with everyone who knew her. She enjoyed attending Saratoga Races, Dog Races, flower gardening and was the best baker especially her famous Finish Buns and donuts. Ida had an unique musical talent and self taught ability to play many different instruments. In the 1980's she visited her ethnic homeland of Finland with her sister-in-law to visit her Aunt Helmi. This past October she was honored by her family with a huge celebration on the occasion of her 100th birthday. Her smiles, giggles, and just to be with her to visit will be so missed by everyone who knew her. Ida was predeceased by her infant daughter Helen; her brother John and his wife Edith; cousins Sylvia of Finland and Betty Ploss and her son-in-law Lou Benacquista. Her life consisted of raising her daughters: Ruth Benacquista and Sandra Bublak. She is also survived by her grandchildren Steven Benacquista, Paul Benacquista and his wife Roselyn, Lisa Benacquista and her husband, Paolo Marescalchi and Leah Warney. Also 8 wonderful great-grandchildren, Vincent, Nicolas, Matteo Benacquista, Lorenzo and Giorgio Marescalchi, Hakim, Oniyah and Jawann Warney; a son-in-law Tom Bublak; a sister-in-law Marge Ditoro; Lucky her cat; many loving nieces, nephews and special friends. Services will be held on Thursday at the Rossi & Ditoro, 501 Union Street, at 12 Noon. Interment will follow in Park Cemetery, Scotia. Relatives and friends are invited and may call at the Rossi & Ditoro Funeral Home, on Thursday from 10am to 12 Noon. In lieu of flowers, those wishing may make a memorial contribution in Ida's memory to the Animal Protective Foundation, 53 Maple Avenue, Glenville, NY 12302.