In memory of

Ida Staryk

July 7, 1935 -  September 20, 2023

STARYK, Ida Elisabeth, maiden name Busch, of Sarasota, FL, passed away September 20, 2023. Born July 7, 1935, in Amsterdam, Holland, she attended the Conservatory of Music in Amsterdam and became an accomplished violinist, her childhood dream. After a year of study in Rome, she returned to Holland to begin her career as a violinist in the renowned Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. Here she met the love of her life, the handsome virtuoso concertmaster, Steven Staryk. He soon whisked her away, and she followed him to England, then to the U.S., where they had their only child, Natalie. Ida dedicated her life to motherhood form this point on. The family moved several times, spending over a decade in Toronto, another in Seattle, another in Scottsdale, AZ, and finally 13 years back in Toronto. Although always homesick for Holland, Ida has firm roots in Toronto. However, her daughter, son-in-law and grandson were most important, so when they settled in Bradenton, FL, Ida and Steve came along to spend their final years together. Ida was a very strong woman, having lived through World War ll and losing many relatives in the Holocaust. Her love and loyalty to her family and friends was unwavering. She supported her husband emotionally during his illustrious career, and always stood by her daughter through troubled times, eventually witnessing her success. Ida adored her grandson and always listened with rapt attention, as he explained baseball and cars to her, which she knew nothing about. She considered her son-in-law to be her son, and greatly appreciated everything he did for her, especially in her final years. Ida also became very attached to her caregivers and was very grateful to them for all they did to help her. After a long battle with MS, she finally succumbed to the disease at the age of 88, and died peacefully, at home on September 20th.

She was predeceased by her parents, Hans and Judith Busch; and her sister and brother-in-law, Lavinia and Jules Ornek. She is survived by her husband of 62 years, Steven Staryk, her daughter Natalie Paul, son-in-law, Michael Paul, grandson, Anthony Paul; as well as her niece, Judy van Attekum.

A Celebration of Life will be held in Toronto, Canada, at Mount Pleasant Funeral Centre on November 19, 2023, form 1-3 pm.

In lieu of flowers, please direct donations to either the National MS Society or MS Canada.

Guestbook 

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Natalie Paul (daughter)

Entered September 29, 2023 from Florida

I miss you a lot already!!! Best mom and oma ever!

Riannon Watson (Daughter of son-in-law)

Entered September 29, 2023 from Tacoma

Rest peacefully Ida. I greatly enjoyed hearing my Dad, Anthony and Natalie talking about you and your husband over the years. I do wish we had had a chance to meet in person.
Lovingly,
Riannon

And just for you a poem by Hendrik Marsman

Herinnering aan Holland

Denkend aan Holland
zie ik breede rivieren
traag door oneindig
laagland gaan,
rijen ondenkbaar
ijle populieren
als hooge pluimen
aan den einder staan;
en in de geweldige
ruimte verzonken
de boerderijen
verspreid door het land,
boomgroepen, dorpen,
geknotte torens,
kerken en olmen
in een grootsch verband.
de lucht hangt er laag
en de zon wordt er langzaam
in grijze veelkleurige
dampen gesmoord,
en in alle gewesten
wordt de stem van het water
met zijn eeuwige rampen
gevreesd en gehoord.

Milan Somborac (Friend)

Entered September 29, 2023 from Collingwood, Ontario, Canada

Ida and her husband Steve were exceptionally outstanding, easy to admire people. Their distinguished reputation will outlive them for many years.

Ida has made the world a better place.

Daniel Neuman (Colleague, friend and neighbor)

Entered September 29, 2023 from Los Angeles, CA

Ida was the delightful partner to Steven who we got to know when they came to Seattle in the 1980s. Coincidentally, they were also neighbors living just down the street from us. Steven was a very successful professor of violin at the University of Washington, successful as measured by how much students loved to study with him. And Ida was the rock of the household, supporting Steven and Natalie throughout the time I knew them. God bless Ida.

Denise Tripp (Friend)

Entered September 30, 2023 from Amsterdam

I extend my deepest condolences to Ida's beloved family and all those who loved her. Although Ida and I had not seen each other since a long ago visit when she and Steve lived in Seattle, we exchanged mails (through the actual post!) and later I was able to follow their goings-on with Natalie. It's a small world and in 1979 I moved to Amsterdam from Halifax, Nova Scotia with a fellow violinist who had studied with Ida's husband Steve and had played with him in the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra when Steve was Concertmaster. I knew at least some of the stories including the love affair between Steve and the beautiful and talented Ida. I had studied violin with Steve when they lived in Vancouver, B.C. and met their delightful first born and only child, Natalie. They doted on her! I remember Ida preparing Natalie for an outdoors venture barely able to see her tiny face all bundled up as the precious cargo she was. Those Saturday lessons (when I travelled over from Victoria to Vancouver) were the high point of every week for me. I was in awe of Steve as one of the great violinist on his generation and wonderful teacher and perfectly enthralled with their little family. Ida was always so gracious and she had a really darling tinkling laugh! We saw each other in Seattle a few times and at least once when she visit her home town of Amsterdam many years ago. I was very sad to hear of her MS and know she suffered. But when I think of her the indelible impression she made was as a very beautiful, feminine and sweet woman who was profoundly strong and brave. Rest in Peace dear Ida.

Photos 

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