Ardith Marie Wodianka

Ardith Marie Wodianka

Having lived an amazing life of love, compassion, joy, laughter and never-say-never tenacity, Ardith Marie Wodianka, 85, of Lake Milton, passed away on February 27, 2024. She is survived by her husband of 66 years, Paul D. Wodianka, and their three children: Debra (Tracy) Sinn, Donna DeFranco and Paul J. Wodianka; five grandchildren: Matthew Sinn (Jonathan O’Toole), Corey (Nikki) Sinn, and Rachel, Joe and Adam DeFranco; and eight wonderful great-grandchildren.

Ardith was born on November 13, 1938, to Gwendolyn Elizabeth (Betty) and Euart Raylor (Ray) Mudge. She attended Jackson-Milton High School, where she was a proud member of the National Honor Society and a formidable competitor on the debate team, as well as the basketball court. She graduated in 1956, when she began her career in the offices of General Fireproofing Company in Youngstown. Ardith decided to cut that career short, however, when she married the love of her life in 1957, and chose to devote all her time, love and energy to building a family with him.

Ardith and Paul had met at Lake Milton Skating Rink when they were young teens, and there was never a question for either of them that they would spend the rest of their lives together. He was captivated by her sharp wit and fiery spirit; she by his humor, kindness and intellect. When they married at ages 18 and 20, respectively, their bond had the strength to withstand the challenges of a lifetime. Together, they were invincible. “I made the living, and she made the living worthwhile,” Paul always says of his beloved bride.

Her children remember that “worthwhile living” as a happy, loving, laughter-filled home that always smelled of fresh-baked cookies, bread or cinnamon rolls. Their friends loved coming to hang out there, and no one—whether on their first visit or their fiftieth—ever left the house without a full belly and a broad smile. In Ardith’s house, everyone was welcomed like family, and family was everything.

That sense of closeness continued on through two more generations, as she adored and doted on her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who will now carry on her extraordinary legacy of love for generations to come.

Ardith’s memorial service will be held at Lane Family Funeral Home, 65 N. Broad Street, Canfield, Ohio 44406, on Sunday, March 24, at 3:00 p.m., with visitation from 1:30-3:00.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Ardith’s favorite nonprofit, St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. Having overcome the struggles of lymphoma herself, she felt particularly close to the courageous children of St. Jude. You can give at stjude.org or 800-805-5856.