It is with sadness and joyful expectation that we wish to announce that Ardath Irene Langille, 99, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, November 25, 2024. Born on April 27, 1925, Ardath lived a full and vibrant life from beginning to end and touched the lives of many people along the way. She was dearly loved by her family, her friends, and her church community.

Ardath was born in Parkdale, Lunenburg County, Nova Scotia and lived her early life there on the family farm. She excelled in school and later trained as a stenographer at the Halifax Business College. In 1943, she married Ellory and they made their home in Brooklyn, Annapolis County. She worked outside of the home early in her career for DND, and later in life at Andrews Department Store in Middleton. Most of her life was spent raising her children and maintaining her home. Ardath and Ellory shared a loving and faithful marriage and set an example of love and sacrifice for their children and the generations that followed.

Ardath was taught from a young age to value service to others, both within her family and in her community. She often spoke of the wonderful example her father set for her, as she watched him drop everything when needed to care for their neighbours.  Following in his footsteps, Ardath was a dedicated servant in her church where she taught Sunday school, was very active in

WMS, and led community bible studies in her home. Many Sundays, she and Ellory invited new friends home for lunch after church. Not one to be in the spotlight, Ardath so often found ways to welcome others and meet their needs in quiet ways that weren't always obvious.

Nothing was more important to Ardath than her faith. Her relationship with God was very important to her and she studied her bible diligently. Her first response to any challenge or hardship was prayer and she was quick to thank God for the blessings, too. One of her sons once said, "Sometimes you don't have a lot of choice in life because Mom can pray you into anything."  She approached death with the confidence that she was going to be with her Lord, and that gave her great peace and joy.

Ardath was an avid gardener. She felt at home among the plants and flowers and birds that she nurtured with such care. She had a sign in her garden that said "…One is nearer God's heart in a garden than anywhere else on earth".

Ardath was predeceased by her parents, Richmond and Angie (Tupper) Rafuse; and her husband, Ellory; as well as brothers, John and Hollis; and sister, Joyce.  She leaves a large and loving family with one sister, Evangeline; and one sister-in- law, Rosemary.  She also leaves her children, Michael (Peggy), Kenneth (the late Jean), Susan and Reid (Norma); seven grandchildren, Jeff (Jessica), Charlene (Sean), Heather, Chris, Stephanie (Rob), Matthew (Barb) and Adam; great grandchildren, Zachary, Alex, Emma, Thomas, Abbey, Elizabeth, Jacob, Tucker and Maggie; and a great great granddaughter, Paislie Jean.

Visitation will take place from 12 noon until 2 p.m., Monday, December 2, in Middleton Funeral Home, 398 Main Street, toll free 1-855-825-3448. Interment service will follow at 2:30 p.m. in Pine Grove Cemetery, Middleton, with Rev. Dr. Danny Smith officiating. A memorial service and celebration of life will be held at Birch Cove Baptist Church, 50 Donaldson Ave., Halifax, at 1 p.m., Tuesday, December 3, with Rev. Andrew Sutherland officiating. A reception will follow at the church.

Ardath lived a life of generosity and gave freely to show God's love to many. She encouraged our family to make financial donations to those in need in place of exchanging gifts at Christmas time, and that has become a treasured tradition for us. We invite you to follow her example by giving in a way that is meaningful for you this Christmas season. Online guest book may be signed by visiting: www.middletonfuneralhome.com

To view the live service in the Birch Cove Baptist Church at 1:00pm on Tuesday December 3, 2024 via youtube, click the link below:

https://youtube.com/live/A2mQfFAp2iM?feature