Ida C. Hirst, age 76, formerly of Mill Village, died at her home in Millcreek on Tuesday, October 29, 2013. Born in Mill Village on June 28, 1937, she was one of five children of the late Hugh D. Crocker Sr. and Lois A. Moore Crocker.

Hirst, Ida C.Ida married her husband James L. Hirst on June 30, 1956 and together they made a home and raised their three boys. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother who devoted her life to her family. Sunday dinners after church, birthday parties, and family gatherings of any kind were always a highlight for Ida and an opportunity to cook.

Her interests included needlepoint, reading, and crossword puzzles, and she and Jim enjoyed winters in Florida for 15 years. Ida was always an active member of Mill Village United Methodist Church until moving to Erie when she changed her membership to Summit United Methodist Church.

In addition to her parents, Ida had two brothers who preceded her in death– Rev. Hugh D. Crocker Jr. and Charles J. Crocker.

She is survived by her husband James L. Hirst; three sons– Michael J. Hirst and his wife Deborah of Waterford, Mel L. Hirst and his friend Kim of Erie, and Daniel C. Hirst of Erie; four grandchildren– Jill Hirst, Jody Webb, Kevin Hirst, and Ryan Hirst; two great-granddaughters– Claire and Casey Wellejus; her brother– Robert J. Crocker and his wife Becky of Mill Village; her sister– Eileen Verbanac and her husband Raymond of Tucson, AZ; and her friend Cheryl.

Friends are invited to visiting hours at the Van Matre Funeral Home in Waterford on Thursday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. and also to the funeral service there on Friday morning at 10:00 a.m. Rev. Ted Cole, retired Methodist minister will officiate. Burial will follow at Mill Village Cemetery.

The Hirst family requests memorials be made in Ida’s memory to the Kanzius Cancer Research Foundation, 130 West 8th Street, Erie, PA 16501.