Ida passed away peacefully on the morning of Friday, July 13, with her daughters by her side. Born in Victoria on April 23, 1927, she was the youngest of four daughters of John and Elena Bianco and was always proud of her Italian heritage. After graduating from Vic High in 1943, she embarked on a lifetime career in broadcasting, first on CJVI radio and then for 30 years as the host of the Noon Show and later of the Ida Clarkson Show on CHEK TV. Generations of Victorians thought of her as a family friend. In 1949, she married her soul mate and favorite dancing partner, Vince Clarkson. They raised three daughters in a house filled with love. We know that they are dancing together again. Predeceased by her beloved Vince in 1980, Ida will always be lovingly remembered by her daughters and their husbands: Cathy and Glenn Lavoie, Paula and Bruce Smith, Chris and Kenn McLaren. She was a wonderful mother and our treasured friend. Missing their Cool Nana are Erin (Lance) Long, Dan (Leigh Ann) Smith, Mark Lavoie and Lonnie McLaren and her new great-granddaughter, Harper Smith. Predeceased by her sisters, Laura Elliott and Josephine Mann, she is survived by Bruna Lepoidevin, by many members of the Bianco and Clarkson families and by two women who were like sisters to her: Betty McQuaid and Betty Fleming. Sincere thanks to Dr. Karen Klingenberg, Dr. Sally Smith, the Home and Community Nurses and the angels of the Palliative Response Team and Hospice.
A Celebration of Ida’s life for family and friends will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, July 23 at Uplands Golf Club, 3300 Cadboro Bay Road. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Victoria Hospice, 1952 Bay Street, Victoria, BC, V8R 1J8. Condolences may be offered to the family below.
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Kenny Walker (Gold)
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Belinda Bray I just saw this and am sorry for your loss.This may be a bit weird but I’d like to be contacted by a member of the family to find out if what I heard as a child is true or not I heard I was related to Ida,My father being her cousin and have always wondered about this.
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Canucks Fan God Bless Ida Clarkson.
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Marie-France Skourides Dear Kathy,
A friend of mine just has sent me your dear mother’s obituary and I was so sad to hear of her passing. Of course I as well as everyone else knew that she was a GREAT Lady, her mind so sharp, always looking young and active and elegant, it is a great loss. I have thought of her often since I left Victoria in May and very sincerely hope that the doctors kept her pain to a minimum.
I send my most sincere condolences to you, your sisters and your family.
Marie-France S.
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Mrs. Ray Flemming(Julie Jorre de St. Jorre) Thinking of you all in prayerful thoughts.
Ida was a very gracious and generous lady.I remember first meeting Ida when I went on her Television Show advertising our upcoming St. Patrick’s Bazaar.
As a CWL member I am not alone in having sure appreciated her including the September bazaar as part of her show every year.
I really enjoyed the privilege of being able to meet her.
Julie J.-Flemming
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Ann Auld I am so sorry to hear that a beloved mamma and nonna has gone. She will never be forgotten, always remembered with great love and affection.
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Hugh Curtis Remembering Ida, a good friend and early colleague from 50 years ago.
Hugh
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john king I wish to express my condolences to all the relatives and friends of Ida. When I was young the Bianco’s lived next door to us in Deerholme then they moved to the farm just up the road. I have been doing ancestry research and came across many photos of Ida, her mum and others. I remember going to dinner at the farm with 15 or 20 people around the table, huge bowls of spaghetti and Bill Latanzi’s cheese. Always happy and lively affairs. I seem to remember Mrs. Bianco called her ‘my little Eedee’. Wonderful people, a sad time but many happy memories for me. So, goodbye little Eedee.
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John and Marilyn Bate We would like to extend our Most Sincere Sympathy to all of Ida’s Family.
Your Mom was a first class lady.
She helped us thru many interviews etc, during our Ice show Days and all the years at Memorial Arena.
We are so grateful our paths crossed in life.
Most Sincerely
John and Marilyn Bate
Victoria, BC
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Bob White I was sorry to hear of Ida’s passing and I wish to extend my condolences to her family. I knew Ida from CHEK TV, having worked there about 2.3 years in the late 60’s. I occassionally directed the Noon Show or manned the Audio Console for Ida’s program.
Ida was one of a kind, a delightful person, pleasant and always seemingly in high spirits and ready to do the job she knew so well.
She had a good sense of humour, I remember one time she said to me, ” Bob, did you know we’re related? you see my born name is Bianco which is Italian for White” (my name). It kind of caught me off guard and I didn’t know what to say at that moment ! Ida had lots of wit which made her special and a great person to be around.
Ida will be missed by all, so thank you for being you and what you did over the years making Victoria a brighter place to live. God Bless.Sincerely, Bob White
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Linda Powell (previously from View Royal School) Expected or not, it is always a shock when you lose a parent. My thoughts are with you during this very difficult time.
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jo reed I am so sorry to hear of Ida’s passing. Such a witty and lovely lady.She was always so happy to be with her family. I knew her as a competitive Scrabble player. And I was lucky enough to spend two weeks in Puerta Vallarta with our little group on a winter holiday.
My condolences to her daughters and her many friends and relatives.
I miss her.
Jo Reed.
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Mary de Zwager My thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this difficult time. What a joy to have experienced your close family’s vigil – you are each an example to others, as was your mother Ida.
As with many others in this community, I have great memories of the TV shows, especially when hosting Harry!
Blessings on each of you as you celebrate your dear mother’s life and grieve her death.
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Barrie Foster I was so sorry to hear that your mother had passed away. I knew that she was ill, but certainly didn’t expect her to leave us so quickly. But, what a blessing for her. I have played bridge with Ida over the past years and will especially miss the games and laughs we had whenever Nick and Valerie came for a visit. I know what a pro she was in the broadcasting business as well, since I was interviewed once by her for the Music Festival. As nervous as I was, she made me feel so at ease. Ida also presented my wife and I with our first Ballroom Dance Tophy. I will always miss her and I sincerely hope that her last days were peaceful ones.
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Thomas Crone My Brother, Jim, has been called Bruce Smith and his wife Paula, great friends, for many years.
I wish all of Ida’s Family and legion of fans, my sincere condolences.
I only met Ida a few times and as a fellow Broadcaster, take it from me, Ms. Clarkson was a genius – and a really lovely woman. What a sweetie and she had a great sense of fun.
She will be sorely missed, not only by her Family and friends, but people like me, that admired her grace, wit and charm.
Talent! Wow.
Ida – I wish I had spent more time with you – and it is my hope that your fine Family take some comfort in knowing how beloved and respected you were.
Thank you for your service to Victoria and it’s people. We will all miss you tremendously.
I am glad you made it to Hawaii, for the wedding. Bless you – and now you are back with your husband.
RIP.
Your were NE PLUS ULTRA, dear Lady.
I have the fondest memories of dear Ida. I emigrated to Canada in December 1974 with my group ‘Trafalgar’ making our debut at the Red lion motor Inn, in January 1975 we were invited to appear on the Ida Clarkson Show on Check TV. Ida was the most welcoming gracious host, and the first of many appearances for us, my heart goes out to her family, God Bless you Ida, may you have everlasting love, peace and happiness in the Kingdom of Heaven.