Ida was the daughter of Alfonso and Maria Mancini. Her parents came to this country from Ostra, Italy. She was born on November 10, 1916 in Rhode Island. Her family moved to Lake Village, AK to join other Italian families that had moved from Italy to this country. Her first language was Italian. She learned English while attending Catholic school. Her family then moved to Exeter in the mid 1930’s, where she met her husband, Elvin Gamel in 1937. They were married at the Catholic Church in Lindsay, Ca. on November 22, 1938. After trying to have a child for 11 years, Ida gave birth to her only child, Bobby. After his birth, she dedicated her life to raising her child and taking care of her husband. They would have celebrated 75 years of marriage on November 22 of this year. Her only son was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Fresno on September 15, 1990. He currently is the pastor of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Los Banos, CA. Ida and Elvin lived in Exeter until they moved to New Bethany Residential Care in Los Banos in December 2012. Here they enjoyed the love and the care of the Franciscan Sisters and staff and the joy of being near their son. Ida belonged to Sacred Heart Catholic Church Woman’s Guild, Exeter, CA.
She is survived by her husband Elvin Gamel; one brother, Vincent Mancini of Exeter, CA; her son Rev. Robert Gamel.
In Lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made in Ida’s name to Our lady of Fatima School or Memorial Masses at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 1625 Center Ave. Los Banos, CA 93635, or New Bethany Foundation, 1441 Berkeley Dr., Los Banos, CA 93635.
There will be a visitation on Sunday, October 6, 2013 from 5:00-6:00 p.m., a rosary will be recited at 6:00 p.m., at Whitehurst Funeral Chapel in Los Banos. Mass will be held on Monday, October 7, 2013 beginning at 9:00 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. Burial will be Wednesday, October 9, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. at Exeter Cemetery District. Services under the direction of Whitehurst Funeral Chapel ~ Los Banos.