Ardythe Darylene "Ardy" Kowalinski

Ardythe “Ardy” Kowalinski lived a life full of heart, rhythm, and color. Born on July 23, 1932, in Chicago, IL, she brought light and laughter into every room, and left behind a legacy stitched together with creativity, adventure and love.

Ardy was a lifelong lover of dance, a talented tap dancer who never missed a beat, both on stage and in life. Her passion for movement echoed in her every step, whether she was tapping across a dance floor, staying active at water aerobics at St. James Gym, or ushing guests into the Stranahan Theater in Toledo, Ohio, with her signature warmth and energy.

Her hands were rarely still. Ardy loved keeping busy with her crafts, whether she was sewing, crocheting, quilting, or coming up with clever ways to repurpose everyday items, like turning a Clementine crate into a baby doll bed. She had a real knack for making things both useful and beautiful, and she was always happy to share what she knew. Whether teaching someone how to knit or finishing a project for a friend, she did it with patience, care and her own creative flare.

Family and friendship were the cornerstones of Ardy’s life. She was the kind of person who showed up for you, who remembered birthdays, gave gifts from the heart, and made even ordinary days feel special. Her home was a gathering place filled with laughter, stories and always plenty to eat. Her love extended far beyond her own children, wrapping around grandchildren, great-grandchildren, neighbors, and lifelong friends like a hand-stitched quilt, colorful, comforting and made to last. Her grandchildren especially remember the playful songs and rhymes she shared, like her beloved “bumble bee, bumble bee” tune, so much so that some lovingly called her Bumble Bee whenever they saw her.

A true explorer at heart, Ardy never lost her sense of wonder. She found adventure everywhere, from camping under the stars to cruising the Mississippi, exploring Hawaii and Alaska, soaking up the sun in Florida, or wandering the streets of Spain, “shangria” in hand. When her children were young, summers meant loading up the car for long road trips out west, picnicking on peanut butter sandwiches and peaches from the trunk, taking in the wide-open skies and making memories with every mile. Later in life she cherished summer days spent boating on Lake Erie, thrilling family trips to Cedar Point, and getaways with her adult children and grandchildren. She especially loved wedding cruises, which always included late nights at the casino and stories that became family favorites. No matter where she went, Ardy found beauty, joy, and always a little fun and mischief along that way.

Ardy’s legacy is one of movement, creativity, compassion, and fierce devotion to those she loved. Her vibrant spirit will continue to dance in the memories of all who were lucky enough to know her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Seretta (Helm) Jacob; her beloved husband, Florian Kowalinski; sons-in-law, Don and Mike; daughter-in-law, Amy; and her siblings, Harold Jacob and Sadonna Ryan.

Ardy is survived by her children, Debbie (Jeff), Cindy and Mark; ten grandchildren; and twenty great-grandchildren, each of whom carries a piece of her love, humor and imagination in their hearts.

Thank you to the Lakes of Sylvania for all of your love and caring for our mom! You all became family to us.