Ida M. O'Fahl

Newport, RI - Ida M. PikeOFahl, 97, of 47 Mill Street Newport, died Sunday, February 27, 2005 at home. Born in Newport, RI on March 31, 1907, she was the daughter of the late Earl and Elizabeth James Pike. Ida has lived in Newport all her life, never venturing further than Buffalo, New York. On July 1st, 1926, while still a young girl, she stared working at Newport Hospital as a laundry worker - 45 hour weeks for $35.00 a month. After a few years, Idas supervisor moved on, and her fellow workers banded together to request that Ida be given the supervisor position. Ida was nervous about taking the job, but she resolved to do her best. She supervised a number of departments, including Utility Aids, Night Watchmen, and the sewing room. At one point, she was supervising 81 people and making rounds three times a day. Ida eventually worked her way up to manager of housekeeping. World War II changed everything. During the war, the Navy Hospital only served the men, so the Newport Hospital took over the care of all Navy dependents. Rules were changed and the rate of change increased, as it does to this day, resulting in continous improvement of techniques and policies. And Idas salary went up to $60.00 a month. Ida was a paid hospital employee for sixty three and a half years. She officially retired on December 31, 1989, and was presented with a bench on Powell Street near the Vanderbilt Rehabilitation Center. The bench bears a plaque with her name, and is placed for the use of hosptial patients. Immediately after retiring, thanks to the encouragement of Shirley Miller and Mr. Healey she began her volunteer duties. She has served the Newport Hospital and her community for seventy years. She is survived by two sisters Alice Allen of Chelmsford, MA, and Emma Stone of Springfield, VA, her caregiver Alice King of Newport, RI and several nieces and nephews.She was the sister of the late Peter Pike, George Pike, Charles Pike and Rose Mitchell.Her funeral will be held on Saturday, March 5, 2005, at 11:00AM in the Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport. Burial will be in St. Marys Churchyard in Portsmouth.Donations in her memory may be made to the Visiting Nurse Services of Newport and Bristol Counties, 1184 East Main Road, Portsmouth, RI 02871.