Ida E. Farrington, 99, who lost a son in World War II and went on to become president of the Chicago chapter of the Gold Star Mothers, a charitable group of mothers who lost children in the war, died Wednesday, Jan. 24, of natural causes in Palos Community Hospital in Palos Heights. She had been a resident of Alvernia Manor retirement home in Lemont for the last five years. Born Ida Tries, she grew up in Chicago, and was married in 1922 to Dr. Miles F. Farrington, a Chicago optometrist. She was the mother of the late Francis M. Farrington, an Army infantryman who died in Germany during World War II. After the war, Mrs. Farrington joined the Gold Star Mothers, named for the gold stars displayed in house windows when families lost a serviceman in the war. Through the years, she came to lead the group’s Chicago chapter. “She was a hard worker, a good organizer,” said her son, Bob, a former Tribune composing room manager, adding, “I think she really did it as a tribute to my brother.” In addition to her son, Mrs. Farrington is survived by a daughter, Elaine Farrington-Stapleton; 10 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren. Visitation will be from 2 to 9 p.m. Friday in Blake-Lamb Funeral Home, 4727 W. 103rd St., Oak Lawn. Mass will be said at 10:30 a.m. Saturday in Alvernia Manor, 13950 Main St., Lemont.
