soul

of blessed memory

continued from page 63

A Loving, Lovely Woman

A

rdis Birndorf Feldman, 90, of
Ardis and Pitzie became lifelong
West Bloomfield and Boca
friends and were like sisters. Starting
Raton, Fla., died
early on in her adult years, Ardis
March 3, 2018.
became the caregiver to her
She was the youngest of
entire family. If any of her friends
four children, Mynne (Irving)
or relatives became sick or were
Wartell, Clare (Paul) Tilds
hospitalized, Ardis was imme-
and Jarvis (Pearl) Franzblau,
diately there for them and their
born to Herman and Rose
families. She often joked with her
(Goldstein) Franzblau. She
brother-in-law, Leonard (Irene)
was born on Aug. 10, 1927, in
Birndorf, that she knew as much
Detroit.
about being a doctor as he did.
Ardis Feldman
As a young girl, Ardis expe-
Ardis was the first person at the
rienced the Great Depression,
hospital in the morning and the
and as a teenager she lived
last to leave at night. She was an
through WWII. Both events made lasting advocate when needed, often interacting
impressions on her long life.
with the doctors and nurses on behalf of
When Ardis was 15 years old and her
“her patient.”
brother Jarvis was overseas in the Army
She led the family through rough
Air Force, her father bought an orchard
times by her strong will and intelligence.
and moved the family to Ann Arbor.
Throughout her life she had many amaz-
She then went to Miami, Fla., to
ing friendships lasting decades. She was
attend high school and college. In 1948,
a social butterfly but not a social climb-
Ardis returned to Michigan, where she
er. Ardis always uplifted people with her
met and married the love of her life,
beautiful smile and wonderful sense of
Fred Birndorf. Together they raised three humor. She had a way to make the most
sons, Howard (Audra), Richard (Terrie)
of what she had. Ardis was always opti-
and William (Holly) Birndorf. Ardis was
mistic about her life, her family and her
the parenting force and dedicated those
friends, and carried herself with pride,
early years to providing daily support to
dignity and grace.
her children and their many friends. She
She loved dogs and spent most of her
was always there for them throughout
life with one by her side.
their various activities.
Ardis had impeccable taste, which
Ardis hosted holiday dinners and was
one could see by the way she dressed
a dedicated wife to her husband and
and how she kept her house. She was
devoted daughter-in-law to Morris and
an excellent competitor, playing cards,
Ruth Birndorf.
mahjong and golf. One of her favorite
In the summer and fall, she and her
pastimes was lying in the sun at her
sons worked on her father’s farm along-
brother-in-law’s cottage, where she
side her brother Jarvis; sister-in-law,
enjoyed the company of her nephew,
Pearl “Pitzie” Franzblau; their children,
Lawrence (Carol) Birndorf, and nieces,
David (Colby), Jonathan (Hildy) and
Susan Birndorf and Margaret (Marty)
Deborah (Rona Oberman) Franzblau;
Schneider.
and her sister’s children, C. Robert
Ardis was blessed with having a
(Susan) Wartell and Jo (Daniel) Gilbert.
youthful and beautiful appearance her
This continued until the farm was sold
entire life. She was stunning. She loved
in 1970.
to entertain but was comfortable spend-

ing an afternoon alone reading a book.
She used her people skills to help others
by working at Beaumont Hospital for 25
years as a volunteer.
After Fred passed away in 1984, Ardis
went to synagogue every day for a year, a
dedication of her faith and the love they
had for each other. After a few years, she
met and married Harold Feldman and
spent 15 wonderful years with him and
his children, Alan and Carol, until his
death in 2002.
By this time, she had the good for-
tune to have numerous grandchildren,
Allison, Matthew, Adam, Jessica and
Esme Birndorf, and Julie, Mark, Brittany
and Codie Feldman.
Ardis began spending her time
between Florida and Michigan. The
last part of her life was spent with her
dedicated companion, D. Dan Kahn,
and his family. Danny and Ardis trav-
eled the world together and enjoyed
golfing and laughing at each other’s
jokes. It was toward the end of this time
with Danny that Ardis suffered a mas-
sive brain hemorrhage. Because of her
strength and will to survive, she was able
to recover, but at a cost. Her short-term
memory was erased forever, and she
would need assistance for the remain-
ing years of her life. This began her final
friendship with her wonderful caregiver,
Donna Hawkins. They spent a beauti-
ful five years together 24/7. While Ardis
could not remember the past, with the
help and care of Donna, she lived a new
adventure every day. She retained her
sense of humor, grace, dignity and beau-
ty until her death. She will be missed
and dearly remembered by everyone she
ever touched over the 90 plus years of
her long and productive life.
For those who would like to honor the
memory of Ardis, contributions may be
made to Higher Hopes!, www.
higherhopesdetroit.org; or Friendship
Circle of Michigan. www.friendshipcircle.
org. Interment was held at Adat Shalom
Memorial Park Cemetery. Arrangements
by Dorfman Chapel. •

HOWARD D. FINCK, 54,
of Boca Raton, Fla. for-
merly of Highland, Mich.,
died March 2, 2018.
He was a devout
University of Michigan
fan and season football
ticket holder; he bled
Finck
maize and blue.
He was brilliant, fun,
loved sports and was
devoted to his family.
Mr. Finck was the beloved husband for
28 years of Karen Sadowski-Finck; won-
derful father of Alexander R. Finck and
Addison L Finck. He is also survived by
his Yorkie girls, Chloe and Sadie; brother,
Michael Finck (Eileen); nieces and nephew,
Stephanie Finck, Adam Finck and Riley
Faulkner; uncle and aunt, Dr. Gerald and
Millie Grossman.
He was the son of the late Dr. Jerome
Finck and the late JoAnne M. Finck; son-in-
law of the late Robert and the late Dorothy
Sadowski.
Interment was at Beth El Memorial Park.
Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel.

ARTHUR GOLDFARB,
88, of Sonoma, Calif.,
passed away Feb. 26,
2018.
Born and raised in
Detroit, Arthur gradu-
ated from Central High
School and was a school
Goldfarb
spelling bee champion.
He was a veteran of
the Korean War, dur-
ing which he served in
the U.S. Army as a combat soldier. Arthur
returned to Detroit after completing his
military service and began a lifelong career
in sales, first as a manufacturer’s repre-
sentative in what was then called the hi-fi
industry.
He lived in California briefly in the late
1950s and early 1960s before returning to
Detroit, where he began a long and suc-
cessful career as a TV and radio salesper-
son for Sears-Roebuck. He retired from
Sears and continued working for Walter’s
Appliances for several years.

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