Ida W. Linton, a homemaker and author who was known for her Eastern Shore-style cooking, died Tuesday of heart failure at the Alice Byrd Tawes Nursing Home in Crisfield. She was 88.
Ida Ward, daughter of famed decoy carver Lem Ward, was born and raised in Crisfield. After graduating in 1936 from Crisfield High School, she worked as a seamstress at several local shirt factories, family members said.
Mrs. Linton, who later became a homemaker, wrote a book about her father, "The Story of Lem Ward," that was published in 1984 by Schiffer Publishing Ltd.
She was also the niece of Steve Ward, who was the other half of the celebrated brother team of decoy carvers.
Mrs. Linton who lived her entire life in Crisfield and had an excellent reputation as a cook, enjoyed entertaining family and friends.
"She cooked all of the wild game — goose and ducks — as well as muskrat," said Charlene Linton, her daughter-in-law, who also lives in Crisfield. "She was also known for her baked ham, clam chowder, cream of crab soup and crab cakes."
Mrs. Linton was an active member for 60 years of Asbury United Methodist Church, where she had been a member of its choir for six decades.
Mrs. Linton was an avid reader of romance novels and poetry, her daughter-in-law said.
Services were Friday.
Also surviving are her son, Thomas Linton of Crisfield; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Another son, Travis Ward Linton, died in 2007. Her marriage ended in divorce.