Ann Judge "Nancy" Ardoline

BETHLEHEM — Ann "Nancy" Judge Ardoline, 85, of Bethlehem and Longboat Key, Fla., 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 June 28, 2018, and she was the truly beloved mother of Kathleen Ardoline and Mary Ann Ardoline.

Born in West Pittston, 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 became only 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 program 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 1970s, 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 1960s, 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 statement says 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 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 "caregiver." 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 1960s, 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.

Ann was a superb cook, had artistic flair, enjoyed a wide circle of special friends and managed to make even the most ordinary events feel special. She could turn a warm summer evening into a celebration for her daughters with popcorn and root beer floats and actual holidays were unforgettably magical. She was funny, fun, thoughtful, loyal and happy to talk to everyone. Seriously, she talked to everyone! She was the best travel companion on mother-daughter trips and she created indelible memories at her home on Longboat Key, Fla. When she was given an extremely difficult medical diagnosis, she made the best of it. She actually enjoyed her time at the infusion center and became friends with the wonderful nurses and fellow patients.

She had that ineffable quality known as "charm" and her life genuinely was well-lived. She cared so deeply for her family and her last thoughts were of concern for her daughters. Her family loves her right back and feels nothing but gratitude and admiration for being part of her universe. Her daughters would give anything to have just one more silly conversation with their mom and they both might occasionally call the home phone just to hear her voicemail message. However, perhaps this happy, lasting image will be enough: Ann and Harry are getting ready to go out for the evening. Ann is running late, as usual, and Harry calls up to her that he will be waiting in the car. Ann rushes down the stairs in a whirl of elegant dress, perfume and the signature sound of her heavy gold charm bracelet, her beautiful face smiling with anticipation. Then, after reminders to Mary Ann and Kathy to behave and giving big hugs and goodnight kisses, she is gone….

Ann Judge Ardoline leaves behind: daughter Mary Ann Ardoline and husband Gregory Kuritz, and daughter Kathleen Ardoline and Robin Charles Metzler; sister-in-law Kathleen Judge; special grandchildren and adored great-grandchildren; and nephews, nieces and treasured friends.

She was predeceased by siblings Alice Judge Costello and Robert J. Judge Sr.

Ann Judge Ardoline's family would like to express a sincere thank you to the splendid Dr. Yacoub Faroun, who cared for her for six years and to Linda Long; the incredible nurses at the St. Luke's Infusion Center, who became family; JD Devine for his devotion to Ann and Harry; and St. Luke's Hospice House.

Without the life-sustaining blood products donated by ordinary heroes and handled by Miller-Keystone Blood Center, Ann's journey would have ended years ago. If you would like to remember Ann, please consider donating blood in your community or making a donation of blood or a monetary gift to: Miller Keystone Blood Center, 1465 Valley Center Parkway, Bethlehem, PA 18017, 800-B-A-DONOR (223-6667). The need is critical and the impact is lifesaving.

Graveside services will be at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 4, in Holy Saviour Cemetery, Linden Street, Bethlehem.