ARDITH JANE NOTESTINE

It seems unreal. Am I really doing this - a eulogy for my sister? I just want to call her and say, "Hey Iffy (my pet name for her), I read a good book; I think you would like it." And then proceed to tell her about it. Last week, yeah, I might have ... but today, I can't do that. It seems unreal. Ardith Jane (Hardman) Notestine, currently residing in Heaven with Jesus, her Redeemer, is my sister. She was born and raised in Michigan and. has resided with her husband, Gene, in Florida for the last 42 years. But my purpose here is not to give you the statistics of her life, but to give you an idea of the experience of the people who knew her and loved her. As is sometimes the case in families, her personality was totally different than mine. 

Here's an example. We were in traffic in Sebring, I was driving. Iffy was in the passenger seat. I was waiting out the traffic light to make my left turn and when I finally got the green left turn arrow, the car in front of me meandered very slowly into the turn. I loudly expressed my frustration at the woman, who of course couldn't hear me. I did not want to wait out another traffic light cycle! Iffy calmly remarked that perhaps the poor lady was confused or otherwise impaired. "I wonder if she needs help." She pondered. To which I responded, "You see, right there is the difference between you and me. I see this woman holding up traffic and I get irritated. You see the same thing and you show compassion." If you were one of those who were blessed enough to know Ardith Notestine and love her, then you surely experienced that compassion too. Those who came to visit her crafting house for years (fondly known as the little house) can attest to her kindness and generosity, as well as her tolerance and pro-active friendship toward those who may have been a little prickly around the edges. It was definitely a spiritual gift she had. I know for certain that lives were changed for the positive because she befriended those who needed someone to love and not judge them. Of course, that particular gift is one God gives to those with the outgoing personality type. On more than one occasion, I've told my sister "You would talk to a fencepost if it didn't get up and walk away from you." She just looked at me as if she was wondering why it would want to walk away. I won't mention the time she stood in the checkout line and struck up a conversation with the woman in line behind her about having finally found the brand and style of panties that she loved, so she bought two packages of them. Oops, did I say that out loud? Faithful to her husband, to her family, to her church and to her myriad. of friends, I can only say "so long" to Iffy, my sister. We loved you then, we still do. We'll be seeing you and looking forward to it. Until then, consider yourself hugged.

Pinned by her sister, Karen Spickeman. 

Ardith was preceded in death by her parents, granddaughter, Sherri Lynn Waldvogle; and her brother, John "Clay" Hardman.

She is survived by her husband, Gene; children, Daniel James Notestine (Carla) and Diana Lee Kasley (Kevin), bonus daughter, Pam Olmsted; grandchildren, Christy Phillips, Jennifer Goins and Casey Branning; great grandchildren, Lindsey, Noah P., Taylor, Logan, Noah B. and Gracie; and sister, Karen Spickerman.

Family is asking in lieu of flowers donations can be made to Susan B Komen Foundation.

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