Ilda J. Warren

Ilda Juliette (Mourao) Warren passed away peacefully on Thursday April 17th surrounded by family after a short illness at the most impressive age of 95.

She was born on March 18, 1930, in the small village of Fenais Da Luz, Sao Miguel Portugal, the daughter of Manuel and Rose (Correia) Mourao.

Upon her grandmother’s death she traveled alone at age 10 to the U.S. through Ellis Island and joined her parents and brothers who were already living in Manchester NH. She then spent the rest of her life as a resident of New Hampshire. Speaking no English when she arrived, Ilda was thrust into daily life in the U.S. and made the best of things.

She attended Ash Street school where she starred as the Statue of Liberty in the school play, and started the school’s first girls’ softball team for her friends because it wasn’t fair only the boys had a team. Ilda was very popular in elementary school, at least until she was caught stealing coins from her brother’s money jar to buy all her classmate’s milk.

She then attended Central High School in Manchester, though left before graduating as she was still learning English, and it was hard for an immigrant. She later went on to earn her GED and then a Nursing Degree as a single mother in the 1950s.

Ilda had numerous jobs over the years, including making shoes in the Amoskeag Mills (later razed due to asbestos), a bakery (where her weight doubled), a school cafeteria (and quit when she realized the new girl only washed big pots), and as a cashier at a grocery store (which she quit when she realized the new girl got the register near the sliding door in winter and froze). Ilda’s true calling was working with Oral Surgeons such as, Dr. Jerome K. Walker, where she worked for decades as the lead assistant in extractions and implants. Her work often had her scrubbing in at the Elliot Hospital, where she volunteered her talent for crocheting in her later years. Often, she would bring home graphic pictures and X-rays of the work she would perform, much to the (stunned) delight of her young children.

Later, she volunteered at Beech Street School for years, making costumes for Thanksgiving and Famous American class plays, including a beautiful Statue of Liberty costume, which was used by many newcomer immigrants and refugee students. She was also legendary at Beech Street School for getting free socks and underwear whenever the school nurse needed them, by harassing Walmart store managers until they gave in to her requests. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother and loved visiting and seeing videos and pictures of her family living life to their fullest. She was an avid golfer, volunteer, crocheter, card player (she never cheated once), home maker, bowler, and chef. She loved the holidays and being with family and friends.

She was predeceased by her loving husband of 25 years, Gerald “Chuck” Warren who passed in 1991. The two met at Intervale Country Club and spent many happy times there. They have finally been reunited on the fairways of heaven after being apart for far too long.

Her loving family consists of her children, listed in order of age, not in order of favoritism (we all know who that is): Jeffery Wallace and wife Lene; Gerald Warren and wife Sondra; and her twin girls, Kathy Warren, and Kimberly Landies with husband Scot and baby Michael Warren. She will be greatly missed by her eleven grandchildren and six great grandchildren, whom she adored with all her heart. May she rest in peace after a life well lived.

Assisting the family with arrangements is the Cremation Society of NH, Manchester. There will be no calling hours or services. At Ilda’s request, she will be cremated with a private service for the family at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to any of the following places: Hillside Middle School in Manchester, NH; Beech Street Elementary School in Manchester, NH; or Elliot Hospital Palliative Care Services Manchester, NH. To view Ilda's Online Tribute, send condolences to the family, or for more information, visit www.csnh.com.