Ida Ballasiotes

1936 - 2014

Ida Ballasiotes

Ida Ballasiotes, 78, of Mercer Island, WA, former State Representative and champion of community protection through sexual predator laws, passed away peacefully with family at her side November 23, 2014.

Born May 25, 1936 in Rochester, NY, Ida was the only daughter of the late Frances and Joseph Canepa. After her family moved to Phoenix, AZ when she was a young girl, Ida met and married her husband, Andrew Ballasiotes. After having three children, they moved to Tacoma, WA in 1963. It was there that Ida attained a BA in Urban Studies from the University of Puget Sound. After graduating, Ida worked in Olympia developing Affirmative Action guidelines for the State of Washington. The family moved to Seattle in 1970 and then to Mercer Island in 1973. Ida worked as the VP of Human Resources with SeaFirst Bank, and then Director of Human Resources for Bogle & Gates Law Firm. After the tragic death of her daughter, Ida went on to serve five terms as State Representative for the 41st district from 1992 through 2002. She gained respect from both Republicans and Democrats alike and was dedicated to public safety, and accountability. Her work was regionally and nationally recognized, and she received numerous awards for her efforts, including the Jefferson Award, the country's longest standing and most prestigious organization dedicated to activating and celebrating public service.

In a 2003 publication honoring UPS alumni, Ida summed up her view on life's purpose, "It's been said that the great end in life is not knowledge, but action, and I believe that you make a difference by a being willing to act. When you see that something is wrong-not just in your eyes but in the eyes of many-go after it to make it better."

Ida will be missed for many things. Not only for her commitment to the community, but also for her great sense of humor, and fabulous cooking, especially her spaghetti and meatballs. We will yearn for her passion, her opinions and her infectious laugh.

Andrew Ballasiotes, Mercer Island, WA, husband of 58 years, survives Ida. She also leaves: son and daughter-in-law, Michael & Mary Kay Ballasiotes of Charlotte, NC, and their three children Alexander, Anna and Michelle; daughter and son-in-law Stephanie Ballasiotes & David Rosengren of Mercer Island, WA, and their three children, Kate, Michael & Sophia; a large extended family.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM, Monday, December 1, 2014 at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 8501 SE 40th St, Mercer Island, WA.

Memorial donations may be made to the Diane Ballasiotes Memorial Scholarship fund for outstanding women committed to communications and community service at Washington State University. Donations can be at either The Diane Ballasiotes Memorial Scholarship Fund, Washington State University Foundation, PO Box 641925, Pullman, WA 00164-1925 or (https://secure.wsu.edu/give/default.aspxfund=Diane%20Ballasiotes%20Memorial%20Scholarship).