Ida Mae Bunch, 80, of Toms River passed away on Friday November 29,

2024 surrounded by her family.

Ida was born on November 2, 1944 to Samuel Whiteford Bunch and

Effie Browder Bunch in Shulerville, South Carolina. Ida "Cookie"

Bunch often spoke fondly of her upbringing on her small family farm.

She would tell of how her mother taught her to cook, sew and care for the

few farm animals they had. Ida left South Carolina and moved to New

Jersey in the 1970s where she raised her three daughters, Lisa, Amanda

and Stacy. Ida supported her family by baking and decorating custom

cakes, worked for Bontempo Bail Bonds, managed a metal stamping

industry office and was a successful sales associate for Avalon Carpet

Tile and Flooring. Ida was an avid gardener who loved growing her own

food and tending to her many plants and flowers. She enjoyed taking

nature pictures and watching local wildlife as well. Ida was an

enthusiastic angler and skilled captain of her beloved, Boston Whaler,

aptly named Southern Charm. She especially loved spending her days

off from work, crabbing, clamming and fishing in the Barnegat Bay with

her dear friend, Sandy. When not out on the water she enjoyed going to

"lunch with the girls" at several different restaurants around town.

Ida was preceded in death by her parents and three siblings. Mr. Sam J.

Bunch Moncks Corner, SC; Mrs. Ruby Virginia Moff, Lawrenceville,

GA; and Mrs. Carnice G. Duesterbeck Summerville, SC as well as her

beloved son in law, Greg Bone Moncks Corner, SC. Surviving are her

three daughters Lisa W Strickland and husband Terry of Cheraw, SC;

Amanda G Bone of Moncks Corner, SC; Stacy L Ruskuski and husband

Andrew L Ruskuski Brick, NJ as well as her three adored grandchildren

Andrew, Ethan and Gracie. Also preceding her death were her two

cherished dogs, Daisy Mae and Princess Gemma.

A celebration of life will be held at a future date to be determined by the

family. Please reach out to the family for details at

southerncharm332024@gmail.com.

In lieu of flowers please donate a toy to a local Toys for Tots drop box as

our mom always did this time of year.