Judge Ann Ardoline

Ann "Nancy" Judge Ardoline, 85, of Bethlehem and Longboat Key FL, a woman of exceptional strength, dignity, and spirit, lost her six-year battle with cancer on July 26, 2018. For 65 years, Ann shared a happy and interesting life with her husband, Harry J. Ardoline, who passed away on June 28, 2018, and she was the truly beloved mother of Kathleen Ardoline and Mary Ann Ardoline. Born in West Pittston, PA, Ann was a daughter of Robert and Anna (Brady) Judge. She was a 1950 graduate of West Pittston High School, where she was involved in many activities, including cheerleading, and where she excelled academically. She spoke often of the idyllic childhood she enjoyed with her loving parents; siblings Alice and Bobby; good friends; and extended family. Ann was the brightest of human beings, in every possible sense. She was filled with light, fire, and joy, and was philanthropic to the core. Although she was the Executive Administrative Assistant to the President of Horst Construction Co. in Reading by the time she was 21, and later became a Real Estate Associate, Ann's real passion was to serve her community. Ann Ardoline was the second councilwoman to sit on Bethlehem's City Council, where she introduced the resolution to build the current Bethlehem Public Library. She was on City Council at a time when women would confide that their husbands would not "let" them vote for a girl. When she realized there was no place for Bethlehem's seniors to gather for activities and companionship, she created one, and became the Incorporator and President of Bethlehem Senior Citizens Council, where she was awarded Honorary Life Membership. Ann was the President of the Junior Woman's Club of Bethlehem, where she was involved in the successful programs for Bethlehem's schoolchildren: Art Goes to School and Children's Theatre. She also served as the Northeast Director of Junior Woman's Club and its State Director of Public Affairs. Ann served on the Bethlehem Area Vo-Tech Advisory Board; Chaired the Model United Nations; was involved with the Boutique At the Rink at its inception in the 1970's; volunteered at the Allentown State Hospital and St. Luke's Hospital; was a longtime political volunteer; and was named to Outstanding Young Women in America and Outstanding Community Leader in America. In addition, since the early 1960's, Ann and Harry were actively involved with Full Circle, a social action program focused primarily in east Harlem, NYC, and shared a particularly passionate commitment to FOX HOUSE, a residential shelter for homeless women and their children. However, perhaps Ann's most heartfelt dedication was to KidsPeace, formerly Wiley House, where for 40 years she served as Vice-President, Vice-Chair, or Secretary of the Board of Directors. KidsPeace, whose mission is to"transform the lives of children with emotional, mental, developmental, and behavioral disorders caused by trauma, abuse, neglect, or other causes"through treatment programs, education, and foster care, became a driving force in the Ardoline family. Ann traveled to Washington D.C. to testify before Congress as an advocate for children in crisis. Ann was devoted to the belief that all children deserve to grow up feeling safe and loved, with the freedom to learn and to dream. Although Ann has an impressive resume, more importantly, she was a spectacular person. She created a beautiful, secure, and loving home for her cherished family, and was the very definition of "care giver." In fact, her children assumed their mother missed them so much while they were at school that she could not wait until they returned home. Perhaps that was not exactly the case, but her daughters grew up knowing they were loved and valued. As children in the 1960's, Mary Ann and Kathy were proud of their lovely mother. In elegant dresses and gowns, she was the epitome of glamour and magic to them, and was the skilled hostess to many, many beautiful parties, luncheons, and meetings at their home. While they knew their mother attended "meetings," they did not understand it was uncommon for women to serve on city council; to introduce a resolution to build their beloved library; to start a center for senior citizens; or to advocate, all the way to Congress, on behalf of children in crisis. What her daughters did know, however, is that their mom was fiercely loving, protective, and intelligent. She was keenly interested in her family's issues-big, small, real, or imagined. She taught them that authority does not need to be expressed with a raised voice, and being part of a community presents the privilege to help others. She encouraged her daughters to dream, to act, and to stand up for themselves, while providing opportunities for education, travel, and adventure.