IN MEMORIAM:  Ida A. Orlando, 98;

Swiss Native Leaves Many Survivors

HARTWICK  SEMINARY – Ida A. Orlando, 98, the mother of five whose survivors include 18 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren, died peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family.

Born Jan. 5, 1917, in Zurich, Switzerland, Ida was the fifth of six children born to August and Anna (Neukomm) Haegi. She grew up in the countryside and mountains of Switzerland and always had a strong affection and pride in her native land.  She married Eugene Orlando on Dec. 3, 1949, and moved to this country in 1951, residing first in Hartwick, then Amsterdam (where Gene worked for G.E. ) then returning to the Hartwick and most recently Hartwick Seminary area.

While Ida was first and foremost a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and homemaker to her family, she also found time to join her friends as a member of the Red Hats, the Busy Bees and the Christian Women’s League.

She attended the Hartwick Christian Church for many years but after her latest move became a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hartwick Seminary.  In keeping with her faith Ida would want her loved ones to be strong, because a good soul never dies.

She loved to knit and made many knitted items for her family.  She had a special affection for her kitties, and also for the many types of Swiss chocolate. Her family will also remember her tasty and much loved Swiss apple pie.

Ida was predeceased by her husband, Eugene in 1994, by her son Ralph and by all of her siblings.  She is survived by two sons, Robert E. Orlando of Hartwick Seminary and Ronald P. Orlando of Oneonta; two daughters, Ruth (George) Nebesnik of Maryland, and Heidi Quinn of Westford; and by 18 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her daughter-in-law, Janet Haegi of Fort Hunter, Montgomery County, and by a niece and nephew.

A memorial service will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3, at the Tillapaugh Funeral Home, 28 Pioneer Street, Cooperstown. Burial will be private and at a later date.

For those who so desire, the family suggests donations in Ida’s memory be made to the Hartwick Fire Department Company # 2,  4877 State Highway 28, Cooperstown, NY 13326.

Arrangements are under the guidance of Tillapaugh Funeral Service, Cooperstown.