She had six brothers and three sisters, all of whom she had outlived. Two of her brothers fought in World World I and one of them, Ossie, was killed in the Battle of the Somme in 1916. Two more brothers, Noel and Ivan, served in World War II.
Fiercely independent, Mrs Hamilton did not get her driver's licence until she was in her fifties and only stopped driving a burnt orange Mazda Rotary car at age 91, after it was stolen.
Mrs Hamilton continued to live independently in her home until early June last year supported by staff from Enliven, a home-based support service, but had a fall three days after her 106th birthday during a surprise cruise on Tauranga Harbour. She was admitted to Melrose Rest Home in September and about five weeks ago was transferred to the hospital section of the rest home.
"Mum was in good spirits and determined to hold on, but she just slowly faded away," son Gavin Hamilton said.
"My mother was a kind, fun-loving person and she never had a bad word to say about anyone. She always had a smile on her face and smiled at everyone she met, and that is why everyone loved her. We will miss her very much," he said.
Mrs Hamilton attributed living a long life to her never smoking, eating good food, keeping active and her "good genes".
She was a lifelong member of the Lyceum Club, enjoyed playing mah-jong, bridge and played croquet for more than 60 years.
Mr Hamilton said his mother enjoyed a little self-indulgence with a regular visit to the RSA to play the pokies and a little flutter on the horses, and she adored Bluff oysters. While predominantly a tee-totaller, she had been drinking a teaspoon of whisky a day for quite a while.
Longevity runs in the Hamilton family - Mrs Hamilton's mother Ginnie Cockcroft died six weeks short of her 100th birthday.
Enliven BOP area manager Alison Wieringa said Mrs Hamilton was a very special person.
"She had a great sense of humour, and was so inspiring to our staff who really enjoyed spending time with her and hearing her reminisce about her great life. Ida had a very sharp mind and she was a star player at Scrabble at our Conversation Club. She was as sharp as a tack, I know after trying to take her on at the game," she said.
Ms Wieringa said it had been an absolute privilege to have been part of Mrs Hamilton's life.
St Columba Church's Reverend Donald Hegan said he was sad to hear of Mrs Hamilton's passing.
"Ida was a delightful lady, who was always attentive to other people and she had a bright, positive outlook on life. She was the most contented lady I know, and I think Ida would have died quite contented as she lived such a great life," he said.
A service to farewell Mrs Hamilton will be held at Woodhill Funeral Home, 167 Grange Rd, Tauranga at 4pm on Monday, followed by a private cremation.
