LeeAnn Ardis Obituary
This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
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Jennifer Walton
May 1, 2023
Mommy,
Today we celebrated your 60th birthday. We spent time as a family, going bowling and singing happy birthday to you. Enjoying yummy cupcakes Poppop and Patricia bought.
I finally beat Dad in bowling, he thinks it´s because he has a bad knee. The grandkids all did horribly (but had fun) and Poppop tired to impart his bowling wisdom. The lessons worked half the time. You would have enjoyed the time we had today.
We came home and for the first time, I am ashamed to say, I pulled out some of the memories from your celebration of life. Now I have looked at them many times over the past nearly 13 years. But tonight I shared them with the kids. They read memories of you that friends and relatives wrote. So they could see you through others eyes. Then we watched the slide show the funeral home made. And we looked at pictures.
It is so hard to look at our old albums and see pictures that seem like they were taken yesterday.
I can still feel the way you used to stroke my hair, or how you said my name when playing or when upset. I hear your laugh. And i hear you whistle while you work....all three of your granddaughters whistle at random times. Cadence while cleaning and hayleigh while cooking.
These grandkids would drive you nuts. They are crazy, loud, stubborn, always have to be right, argumentative.....and beautiful, kind, talented, so smart, athletic, empathetic and so freaking lovable it hurts. I love them so damn much it aches.
And I know that i am screwing up 9 times out of 10 but I keep trying to get it right. Because thats what you taught me without even trying to. That no matter how hard the task, how scared you are, or how much it hurts..you keep moving forward with optimism and laughter. So I tell jokes backward, i sing the wrong lyrics, I tell them I am sorry when I mess up, I cry with them and I love them unconditionally for the individuals that they are.
Oh and I curse....your cussing cup you got me...it´s overflowing. Ops.
And they see me missing you. It´s something I cannot hide nor do I want to. You will always be one of my greatest loves. The pain and ache I feel from missing you will never fade, but I will bear it because it helps me to know that Love is greater than loss, it transcends time and space.
We will all continue to celebrate you, your memory will never fade. Nor will our love for you.
Jenny xxoo
June 7, 2020
Mommy,
How can ten years have passed by without you. A decade without you. Everything has changed so much, me, the world, our family. We have all grown, the kids are so much older, it just hurts to think of it. God you would be head over heels for all of them, Autumn, Cadence, Hayleigh, Richie and Robbie.
Hayleigh has your eyes. All the girls whistle softly while they work, the first time Cadence did it, I stopped an looked around for you. But you werent there, it was her, then Hayleigh and Autumn started the habit and it makes my heart so damn happy.
We all talk about you all the time. Bake or get a cake for your birthday, make sure your urn has flowers for mothers day. But the void you left can never be filled or forgotten.
I still miss you and need you so so so much. Being a mom can be so hard but you were so good. I miss you rubbing my hair when I was sad or sick. No one but your mom can comfort you like that. It sounds simple but my heart longs for it.
Life can be hard but you made it look easy. You enjoyed it so much. I try to be like you, but you were too good.
We all miss you. The grandkids, Dad especially, Christine, your friends and Brett. I take comfort knowing that my heartache for you is shared by others. That sounds messed up, I know, but I cant help it. It makes me happy to know that you were and are truly loved. It helps missing you hurt a little less, just a tiny bit.
I miss you mommy, no matter how old I get, or how many years since I last saw you or heard your unique laughter, I will always long for you. I only pray that my children will love and think of me a fraction of how much I love and think of you.
Jennifer Walton
November 1, 2012
Mom,
I miss you. Tonight I sit here, just wanting to talk to you so badly. I have talked to so many people we love today. Last night, your mom passed away. Cora said she had a good day, handed out candy to trick or treaters and went to the gym, overall a good day. I am just so sorry, I know how much you loved her. She was so very important to you, to all of us, you taught us how important family is and now a big piece of ours is gone. This is all very sudden and unexpected. My heart aches for you, for her and our family. It just feels like I am losing a piece of you. Your mom and you had the same laugh and sense of humor. I will miss her very much. Losing her reminds me of how much I miss you and how much it hurts not to have you here every day. I know that she is with you now, that you are less lonely, you have both your mother and father now. I miss you, I miss PopPop and now MomMom too. She got to see pictures of your grandson, baby Richie, that's what girls call him, he is already 7 weeks old. I wish you were here to hold him, you would love him, he looks a lot like Cadence. I wish you were here to see all your grandbabies. It has been over 2 years yet I still want to tell you about my day or ask you for your opinions. People say things get easier, and in way time does heal some wounds but the need and want of having you never goes away. I miss you and I love you.
love always,
jenny xoxo
Jennifer Holmes
June 6, 2011
I'm sorry to hear you're gone. You are definitely a prominent memory from my softball days :) and to your family I'm sorry for your loss.
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Jennifer Walton
May 20, 2011
Mom,
In a few short days, 17 days, it will have been a full year. I was cleaning the kitchen tonight, after everyone went to bed and starting thinking about you. I think about you all the time, a lot when I do chores...go figure that one. I keep wondering when the pain of losing you will stop. But tonight was different...I starting thinking about May 20, 2010. Thinking about what you were doing last year...wondering what would you have chosen to do if you knew you had only 17 days left with us. The thought hurt me so badly, 28 years with Dad...27 with Danielle and 26 with me. We had so much time together to do so much and yet what could we or would we have done in those last few weeks! The answer is..well I think atleast..we would have been together just like we were...a family..yea maybe at the beach or where ever you wanted but really just together. The grandbabies, you, Dad, Danielle just all of us together.
I feel such a loss of innocense..I think we all do. I have seen loss and death before..we have as a family. But I have never felt a complete void...nothing will ever replace you...there is still just a lack of everything right where you should be. I love you today, I loved you yesterday and I will love and remember you all the days of my life. We all do.
I remember standing in the kitchen with you, and you saying how you couldn't believe, this time last year, that your Dad had been gone for almost 8 years. I could see the hurt in your eyes and I felt sorry for you. We talked about PopPop for a while and then you looked at his picture and smiled. I remember thinking I hated that you still hurt so bad and missed him so much...and I wanted to make it better for you. Now I wish it for Danielle, Dad the girls and I. But without the hurt, how would we know that you were real...that the love we have for you will always be real. It will not matter how many years pass, the pain of losing you will never go away, our memories of you will Never fade, our love for you will always exist and we carry you in our hearts everyday.
For your birthday we set off floating lanterns with wishes and notes written on them. Loretta, Richard and Kirsten helped us. I think it will be a traditation. The grandbabies loved it. They said that you could catch and read them in Heaven. I pray that is true.
I miss you. I love you mommy.
jenny xoxoxo
February 24, 2011
I just read the last entry and there are no more. It hurts me that they will be no more new memories or days with you. I can't process it, it's too much. It has been over 8 months and I still wait for you to tell me I am going to be late every time I have an appointment. My thoughts are all to often scattered or lost b/c I start telling a story about my life and it usually reverts back to you and dad. Speaking of dad, we talk about you all the time. He misses you, but puts on a brave face. He all to often accidentally calls me you, or calls Danielle by your name...he's always got us girls confused...but now it means so much more. I have never minded being compared to you, our looks, our laugh, our personality. Except now I feel like half of me is gone. Everyday I look at my girls and see us. The dark hair, round cheeks, big smile, loud laugh...they are beautiful because of you. And Hayleigh Ann is perfect...just like you said at the last ultrasound, perfect little nose...your nose. I am sorry..I know that I am selfish but I want you back. Autumn asks me all the time, when you will come home..I try to explain...she knows that you are watching out for her and her sisters everyday...but she still says she misses you and that it isn't fair. And I agree with her...it's not. i feel guily for trying to be happy without you...i feel guilty for wanting you back when you are not in pain now. I have never hidden how much I love my parents..you and dad...your story is a part of mine...and will make sure your it is never forgotten. We all wished on so many stars...said millions of prayers...yet your still not here...that is hard. Everytime I look in the mirror I see you...I miss you. I often think of how much you missed PopPop and wonder how you hid that pain from us. I reveiw in my mind the stories that you used to tell us about your childhood...the farm..your friends..PopPop..your grandparents...just everything...every your dad's mom, so I can tell the girls. Don't worry I am cooking for Dad..he has his hands full with the girls..he gets sad sometimes...but when he gets a chance to tell a story about you two he lights up a little. I try to get Danielle over here as much as possible..she is trying. Christmas was hard on all of us, even your anniversary didn't go unnoticed. Brett listens to all of us...our stories...he helps when we are sad..I know Danielle and him talk alot..that makes me happy. The only reason we all make it through each day is because you told us to...it's your strength that will make our family survive. I don't know why I came on this site today....it is my first time...all three girls are taking naps and I should be doing laundry but here I am..writing to you. I want to thank everyone who took the time to post their thoughts. You took some many people into your life, you never shut anyone out. I miss your compassion, your kindness your laugh. Your innocent heart deserved so much more time. Hate was not something you believed in...I am sorry that it often creeps into our minds. Everyone who really knew you liked you, cared for you...those of us you Loved...hate living without you.
momma I love you. We all love you, miss you, think of you everyday.
Thank you for my girls. Thank you for teaching me to love. Thank you for loving me.
xoxoxo, jenny
i could go on forever...but Hayleigh is crying
Denise Mayer-Johnson
June 16, 2010
Dear Marich & Ardis Families;
Please know our prayers are with you. LeeAnn was such a kind & loving person. I know it has been many years, but I will never forget how welcoming she made this 7th grader feel when we first moved to Alloway. I remember her laughter & smile as well.
Deepest Sympathy,
Denise, Tim & Maya
Johnson
Shelley Gravatt
June 11, 2010
Rich, Danielle and Jenny,
I know this will be a tough weekend for you all, but I also know all three of you share LeeAnn's strength and will make it through. If you were thinking you could get away with anything different, we all know she wouldn't have tolerated that anyway!
When I think of LeeAnn, I think "resilience". She was the most resilient person I have ever met ... working through pain every day before she retired. She taught me that working really, really hard is easy when you love what you do no matter what else is going on. She was and still is an inspiration to so many of us who work at 701, because she loved what she did, and she did it well. I remember walking through the door and hearing "Shellllllley" and after our daily conversation she would find some way to fit in that laugh ... that unique and wonderful laugh that you knew was just LeeAnn!
She so loved her family and wasn't afraid to tell anyone who would listen. Rich, you have no idea how proud she was of all the flowers you sent -- and literally filled up DJs with -- on your 25th when you were away. She was beaming ... and showing them off to anyone who would listen. When the grandbabies came, she turned her attention and love to them. I only wish they would have had more time with her ... getting to know her like we did.
We will all miss her, but I want you to know that we all learned from her the same way you did.
You're in my prayers this weekend and always ... I'll keep in touch ... promise ...
Your friend,
Shelley
Phillip White
June 11, 2010
You will be missed here on earth and blessed with God's grace in heaven. May you rest in peace. My prayers go out to your family.
Gail Hartsoe
June 11, 2010
Rick and family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family in this time of sadness. May you find comfort in knowing she is free of pain and in a better place.
Danielle
June 11, 2010
Spanky...
I miss you soo much but I know you are up there havin some good times with pop pop, your grandmom, & our friends. You will always live on in my heart forever. We all miss you but we understand you fought the good fight we were blessed that you had the strength & will to fight as long as you did. You are the strongest, most caring person and have given both me & jenny so much of you. Dad is sad but finds comfort in knowing you are no longer in pain.
I know you are giving me the strength to get thru this weekend. There was no time for goodbye... but really its never goodbye its just I'll see ya later and I know until then you will forever be the brightest star in the nights sky & always watching over Jenny, Autumn, Cadence, the new baby, & me... all your babies, Dad & Brett.
Even though my heart is hurting, my head is telling me its okay b/c your okay & your happy, free of pain, & with your daddy again.
I miss you so very much & I love you so so very much more. Love always & forever your baby.
Kirsten Swann
June 10, 2010
Leeann,
I will miss all of your jokes and laughes. I loved spending time with you at the restaurant and sleepovers!
I will keep an eye out for Autumn, Cadence and the new baby.
Love, Kirsten
June 10, 2010
Jenny and Danielle,
Your Mom was one of the sweetest people I will ever know. I will always remember her big smile when she would serve me my favorite Taco Salad at DJ's. If I was having a bad day, just chatting with Leeann for a minute left me feeling better.
She fought her illness with courage and you selflessly supported her. I will miss her.
Becky Ilog
7th & Frnaklin
MCV Information Systems
Bobu Overman
June 10, 2010
LeeAnn,
I always enjoyed seeing you at DJ'S. You were so friendly and gracious. You made all of us feel like family. You will be missed here on earth and blessed with God's grace in heaven. May you rest in peace. My prayers go out to your family.
Loretta Swann
June 10, 2010
It all started in that little restaurant on 7th and Franklin. That’s where I found one of my best friends in life. When I walked in for the first time, I had no idea the impact Leeann would have on my life. Leeann was there when I got married, when my daughter was born (ok, she wasn’t there for that exact moment but she sent Rich), and when I wasn’t able to be with my family for holidays we were always with Leeann, Rich and the girls (can’t say that our dining room table has had much use but I can tell you how much laughter we have had around the Ardis table!). I couldn’t image life without Leeann for the last sixteen years. She has taught me so much about life and how to truly enjoy life itself. As I look around each day I find something that reminds me of Leeann, whether it’s the blanket that she gave me that I cover my lap with during the day or the wreath that she made (over five years ago) that hangs on our front door every spring and summer, or just the idea that cooking dinner for your family is better than going out to dinner, but most of all just how to laugh about anything and everything (especially husbands!). Leeann touched every person in a very special way, one that will never be forgotten. I do and will miss Leeann but I hold a very special place for her in my heart and I know she will never be forgotten.
Leeann left us with the most important part of her life, her family and over the years has become our family.
Rich, Danielle and Jenny, we will always be here for you. Anytime during the day or night, we are here.
P.S. That climb up the phone pole puts me a few more feet closer to heaven and I will be still climbing to have those special chats with Leeann!
Love,
Loretta Swann
Ray Goodloe
June 9, 2010
Rick, I was very saddened to learn of LeeAnn's passing. I went to DJ's a few times years ago and saw LeeAnn there. As usual, she was all smiles. You and your girls are in my prayers.
Kylee Jones
June 9, 2010
Aunt LeeAnn,
I miss you very much and I wish you were here.
Love Kylee
Jett Jones
June 9, 2010
Dear Aunt LeeAnn,
I will miss you for all the things you did for me. You are one of my favorite aunts. I will always miss you.
Love your nephew Jett
Christine Ardis
June 9, 2010
LeeAnn,
Where do I begin.. it's been 29 years since I met you in my back yard. I was 7 years old playing in the yard when you and Richie walked up I remember asking "who are you" and you never left you became part of the family right then. We became instant friends.
You are so much apart of my life, you are my sister. I miss you so much already. I know you're better now and that there's no more pain for that I am happy but I will miss you forever. Thank you for all the great memories I have to look back on and cherish. I laugh at the thought of you trying to tell a joke. You were terrible at that, HA HA and that laugh you had there's not another like it. I could go on forever but I'm glad you were apart of the family. I will miss you and love you forever. You will forever be apart of me. Love, Christine
Rick Bodenheimer
June 9, 2010
Rich, Danielle, and Jenny I am so sorry for your loss. LeeAnn was an inspiration to me on a weekly basis. She always had the ability to live strong and turn lemons into lemonade to coin a phrase. I am fortunate to have known her and had her touch my life. She will be missed.
Martha Loving
June 9, 2010
Dear Family,
Over 12 years ago I worked in the building where DJ's is located. It was always a pleasure to see LeeAnn and start the day on the "sunny" side! I still think of her everytime I pass the buidling and see the sign for DJ's.
I pray you will find comfort in your wonderful memories of her and seeing the kind remembrances of those she touched through the years!!
God bless all of you!
Mary Marich
June 9, 2010
My Big Sis Lee Ann,
You are truly the bravest person I know. You fought hard for so long. No matter how much you were hurting, you always smiled, giggled and so often hid the pain from your loved ones. I know you and Dad are playing catch up and sharing much laughter with our Grandparents and Uncle Frank. I miss you now and I know I always will. I know that I will have one more guardian angel looking over me and kicking me in the butt from time to time. :) Know that we were blessed and fortunate to have such a loving person in our lives. Give everyone a big hug for me up there. I love you and you will always be in my heart! Until I see you again, your Little Sis Mary Ellen
Andrena Graves
June 9, 2010
To the family of LeeAnn: I am truly sorry for your loss. I became acquainted with LeeAnn & her girls as a tenant at 701 E Franklin St, and she truly was a sweet person. Jenny and Danielle, I know your pain because I lost my mother just last year; however, take comfort in God's promise from His words at Revelation 21:4 "And He will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more . . ."
June 9, 2010
Rick And Family, So Sorry To hear Of Your Loss our prayers are with you and the girls.Leeann was such a sweet person if there is anything we can do please let us know.Your Old Friends, Bubba And Virginia Chisholm
Sharon Tatum
June 9, 2010
I knew LeeAnn through DJs and she catered my wedding...You couldn't find a nicer person anywhere. She always had a positive outlook, never complained and she was such a hard worker! I am so sad for your loss.
Danielle Nowell
June 9, 2010
Rick, Danielle and Jenny - I'm so sorry for your loss. LeeAnn was such a beautiful person, inside and out and I will never forget how kind she always was to me and the rest of the softball girls. I could be somewhere and not even know she was there and hear her laugh and know it was her. She will be missed by all who knew her. Please let me know if I can do anything for any of you.
Karen Watson
June 9, 2010
Danielle and Jenny, so sorry to hear about your Mom's passing. She was a wonderful and funny person. I throughly enjoyed her stories and giving you girls a hard time at DJ's. That place has never been the same since LeeAnn retired. I always think of her when I see the DJ's sign on the sidewalk. I will cherish all of the fond memories. I am sorry I never got that crab cake recipe. You two should be very proud of your mother's accomplishments - she was a gem. LeeAnn will live on through her beautiful grandchildren. God Bless and comfort you all
June 9, 2010
LeeAnn was the sitter for my son for almost 2 years back in the 90's before DJ's was started. She was the most loving, caring person and will be truly missed. Know that the thoughts and prayers are with you all.. Joyce Edwards
Sandra Winfree
June 9, 2010
Rick - Please know that you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers here at the Association. If you need anything, please let us know.
Sandra, Janice and Wayne
VSPA
June 9, 2010
Mommy,
You are my everything I love you soo much. You are so strong and we are all so proud of you for everything. I wish you didn't have to go but I know your pain is gone and your with PopPop & your Grandma and all 3 of ya'll are watching down on us.
I miss you so much & i love you even more.
your baby, danielle
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