Ida on her horse Snip, at Snow Park about 1965
Ida Foster Campbell, 99, a long time resident of Gila Hotsprings, NM, passed away Tuesday, July 28, at Fort Bayard Medical Center. Ida was born "in space" September 17, 1915, in Santa Rita, NM to Lewis E.Foster and Mary Ysabel Campbell Foster.
After graduating from the Normal School in Silver City, Ida was employed as a secretary for the Corps of Engineers in Washington DC and northeast New Mexico during the construction of Conchas Dam. She met her husband of 57 years, Dawson "Doc" Campbell, after riding horseback to a country dance at the Gila Hotsprings. Doc and Ida married on November 30, 1940 in the Hollywood Wedding Chapel in Hollywood, California.
Thereafter, they made their home at the Gila Hotsprings.
Ida is truly one of the last pioneer women of Grant County. She and Doc raised four children at the Gila Hotsprings, and Ida home-schooled each of them through the 8th grade. Ida canned everything for many years on a wood stove, used a sad iron and kerosene lamps, as well as making most of the childrenʼs clothing. She also patched up each child more than once because it was too far to the doctor. Together, Doc and Ida built the Gila Hotsprings Ranch and outfitted customers into the Gila Wilderness.
They were also instrumental in the promotion of the Gila Cliff Dwellings as a recreation destination for southwest New Mexico. Ida used her secretarial skills to type letters to government agencies and political friends. In 1964, when the road was being built to the Gila Cliff Dwellings, Doc and Ida built Doc Campbellʼs Post, a country store on the way to the Dwellings. The paved road was completed in 1966 and electrical power brought into the area in 1970. For many years, Ida manned the store or could be found in the back, keeping the books.
Ida and her sister, Alice Foster Hill, co-authored €œTriumph and Tragedy € after over 17 years of research by various family members. Ida and Alice wanted a factual history of their step-grandfather, Thomas Lyons, and the LC Ranch to be told. This dream was realized in 2002, with the publication of the book.
Ida was an inspiration to all who knew her. Ida passed the baton to the next generation years ago and we have all benefitted from her accomplishments and determination.
She is survived by her daughter, Ysabel (Paul) Luecke, of Gila Hotsprings; son Allen (Carla) Campbell of Gila Hotsprings; son Angus (Kathleen) Campbell of Deming, NM; daughter Rebecca of Gila Hotsprings; three grandchildren, Kristina (Michael) Lopez, Nathan (Elizabeth)Campbell and Kyle Campbell; five great-grandchildren, Sierra, Cayden and Laney Lopez, and Dawson and Zoe Campbell. She is also survived by a brother-in-law, Jack Hill of Silver City, and many beloved nieces and nephews and their families.
The family wishes to thank the medical and nursing staff at Fort Bayard Medical Center, where Ida spent the last nine months. The love and care Ida received at FBMC was much appreciated. Cremation has already taken place and the family plans to hold a memorial service in the near future, at the Gila Hotsprings.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks you make a donation to a local library or bookmobile in Idaʼs name.