Ione Worth

Ione Georgine (Birks) Worth, 92, of Ithaca, NY, died peacefully on June 9, 2026. Ione was born Dec 17, 1933, in Syracuse, NY, daughter of John and Catherine (Raborg) Birks. She graduated from Bates College in Lewiston, ME in 1955. At Bates, Ione was part of the Ski Club -- later teaching her children to ski at small ski hills in upstate NY. After graduation, Ione crossed the Atlantic Ocean via ship and toured Europe for several months, delighting in being abroad, an example she set for her children that would encourage them to learn about and discover new places. Her global perspective was also shaped by close family in Brazil.

Ione married William (Bill) Worth on May 21, 1960, in Syracuse. Ione and Bill raised their family in Norwich, and then Dryden, where Ione would live for the next 40+ years. In Dryden, Ione was co-coordinator of the Kitchen Cupboard for 35+ years. She was active in the Dryden Fortnightly Club for 26 years, where she enjoyed old and new friendships. Throughout her life, many additional friendships were formed at the bridge table. She was a devoted Cornell Big Red basketball fan, cheering in the bleachers with friends into her 90s.

When Bill retired, Ione and Bill enjoyed many travels together -- often with a bike path or ski trail as part of the route. They had countless adventures visiting their children and grandchildren around the world, where they each had special homes - Asia, Maui, and Vermont. In recent years she moved to Kendal at Ithaca, where she was an active member of the community, volunteering, enjoying bridge and meeting old (and new) friends. Ione was a Mother and Grandmother and Friend to many, who know her as a card shark, a night owl, an advocate for those in need, a curious mind, a calm presence, an understanding ear, a strong and independent woman, an encourager, and the most reliable person to mark birthdays and special occasions in life. In all these ways and many more, she will be greatly missed.

She leaves behind her family: daughter Gretchen (Ithaca), son John and his wife Maria (East Burke, VT) son Jamie and his wife Eleanor (Maui, HI), grandchildren Hunter and his partner Katherine (New York City) and Joshua and his partner Cassie (Maui, HI). She is survived by her brother Hal Birks (North Carolina). She was predeceased by her husband in 2013.

A celebration of life will be planned by the family. Donations in Ione’s memory can be made to the Dryden Kitchen Cupboard (c/o Dryden Presbyterian Church, PO Box 42, Dryden, NY, 13053), or the Kendal Employee Futures Fund (c/o Kendal at Ithaca, 2230 N Triphammer Rd., Ithaca, NY, 14850, attn: Susan Hoskins).