Ida Ferran

Ida Ferran or “Idabelle” as she was named by her parents Earnest Joseph Ferran and Elena Josephine Valdez Ferran on October 5th, 1936. Ida passed away February 15th, 2021 of natural causes. 

Mom loved to read and lifelong learning. At the end of her life, she amassed a several hundred book private library. Her postal worker became frustrated by the volume of reading material she received. She negotiated and he would leave a plastic mail basket at her door full of newsletters, magazines and new books from her clubs. In High School she was voted “Best all Around”.  At sixteen, Mom received a four-year Ford Scholarship to the University of New Mexico. Her under graduate degree later completed at National University of California. She then completed her Master's degree in Public Justice Administration from Golden Gate University. Near her retirement Mom went back to school to get her Community College Teaching Certificate. She enjoyed taking temporary and part time teaching jobs in her retirement. Mom especially enjoyed teaching English as a second language. 

Idabelle grew up in New Mexico and Colorado amongst very strong western women influences. Most influential was her mother and her Aunts Ramona Valdez and Lucy Valdez. Elena always worked on the ranch, worked as a school teacher and volunteered as a community leader her entire life. Elena Josephine Valdez Ferran taught her daughters by example. Vangie, Idabelle, Amy and Helen all had careers while raising their families.  

Mom’s wish to make a difference in the work she did came true when she started her career with the Department of Justice Bureau of Prisons. By the time she retired she had served in many different capacities for the Bureau. Starting as a Correction Officer with bilingual skills (English/Spanish)  she moved quickly up through the ranks to ultimately retire as the EEO recruitment director for the US Western Region Department of Justice Bureau of Prisons. 

Ida is survived by her sisters, Vangie (Manuel) and Helen (Tom), her five children: Jacques (Mutlu), Renee (Kelly), Colleen (Michael), Sean (Heidi) and John (Graeme), her fifteen grandchildren and her five great-grandchildren. Also, her extended family throughout New Mexico and Colorado. She is proceeded in death by her Sister, Amy Naranjo (Benny) and her Brother-in-law, Manuel Tenorio ( Vangie). 

Idabelle loved to play with children, animals, travel, listen to music, food, art, museums, the mountains, the ocean and the Albuquerque Balloon Festival. 

Graveside Service will be at Gate of Heaven: 7999 Wyoming Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109 Saturday, October 8th, 2022 10:30 am to 11:30 am.

Reception will be at Wyoming Chapel: 7601 Wyoming Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109 proceeding Graveside Service 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm.