Ardell Eva Ramage

A life that touched so many hearts will be forever remembered.

Obituary

Ardell passed away peacefully at home in Nanaimo on the 16th of October in the company of family and friends. She is survived by her son Robert, daughter Denise, brother Roy, ex-husband William, extended family, and countless friends. She was pre-deceased by her father Thomas in 1977, and mother Mabel in 2014.

Ardell and her twin brother Roy were born two days apart in Nelson B.C. during the Second World War. Ardell grew up in Nelson, Lethbridge, Nanaimo, and Calgary as her father pursued career opportunities in carpentry and construction. Ardell attended Nanaimo District Secondary School, graduating in 1959. When her parents moved to Calgary, she had to attend an additional year of school, graduating (again) from Calgary’s Central High School in 1960. She met her husband that year and married in 1961.

Ardell’s friends and family remember her as highly organized, intelligent, and fun-loving. She projected confidence in everything she did. Even as she raised her children in Calgary, Ardell worked as a bookkeeper, office manager, and obtained a BA in Geography. She also completed her CMA designation, fulfilling a desire to work as a professional accountant.

Ardell made lifelong friends everywhere she went. Somehow, she stayed in touch with all of them. Her annual Christmas letter became a highly anticipated tradition. In High School, Ardell met friends Sharon Brown, Carolyn Ricker, and Bonnie Stebbings. In University, she met Fran Frith, who became like a sister to her. For many years, alternating Christmas dinners were spent with the Frith family of Manley, Fran, Ross, Cam, and Terry McManus. Cam admired her turkey stuffing so much that many years later he even penned an ode to it. Winters were spent skiing, and summers camping and hiking.

Ardell was an insatiable reader and knowledge seeker. After retirement, she made the decision to return to Nanaimo, which she later described as the best decision she ever made. It brought her closer to beloved friends in a beloved place. She loved rekindling old friendships with Bonnie, Carolyn, and Sharon, forming a book club and spending many happy days golfing and curling. She volunteered for Meals On Wheels and became a key contributor to the strata board of her condo, bringing financial expertise and a wealth of accounting experience. The community of The Terraces became close friends.

Ardell’s family and friends wish to thank her doctors at the Caledonian Clinic, including Dr. L. Simpson and Dr. M. Fukunaga, as well as Dr. Alcrest and Dr. E. Maclean of the NRGH.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the NRGH Foundation, especially wheelchairs, in thanks for the wonderful care provided by the palliative team.

She will be missed.

Gallery

Memory wall

January 4, 2026

Ardell,

You were a kind, thoughtful person whom I will deeply miss. We both loved books and I always looked forward to your Christmas list of books you would send in our Christmas card which was always cheerful. I wish I could have spent more time with you,

Julie Little

December 30, 2025

Ardell will be missed, her thoughtfulness and considerate nature was a blessing to us all.

Kristine Malmqvist

December 30, 2025

Love you Aunt Ardell. I hope you are getting things organized for us when it's our turn to join you. Until then, I miss you. Ox love your niece Lori

Lori Ramage