Ardythe Margaret Cobb

Ardythe Margaret Cobb, age 95, died peacefully at home in Madison on Friday, November 22 after a long illness. She was born in Madison, WI, on November 2, 1929, to Ivan and Adele (Saddy) Hanson.

 Ardythe attended Madison East High School and began working at Wisconsin Bell soon after to help support her family. There she met the love of her life, Roger Cobb, and the two married on June 14, 1949, at St. Raphael’s Cathedral in Madison.

 Ardythe was a devoted and loving mother to her three children, Lorian, Larry, and Lisa, all of whom made her immeasurably proud. She also loved and adored her three grandchildren, Brian, Elizabeth, and Bradley, who she routinely said were her gifts from God for not killing her kids. In her free time Ardythe enjoyed spending time with her family, including hosting Sunday family dinners. She also enjoyed crafting, especially basket making

 Her daughter Lorian’s autism was one of the driving forces in Ardythe’s life and made her an unwavering advocate for those with developmental disabilities, a group that too often had no voice and little support from the school systems. She and Roger spent countless hours working to establish an alternative program for Lorian and others with similar disabilities. These efforts resulted in the formation of the Portal-Foster Center, as well as the Madison Area Rehabilitation Centers, both of which are organizations that continue to serve Lorian and other developmentally disabled individuals to this day.

 Ardythe is survived by her three children, Lorian Cobb, Larry Cobb, and Lisa (Michael) Hefty, her three grandchildren, Brian, Elizabeth, and Bradley, her sister Gladys Manzo, long time friend Judy Miller, and many beloved nieces and nephews. Ardythe was preceded in death by her husband Roger, parents, Ivan and Adele, brother Larry Hanson, sister-in-law Alice Hanson, and daughter-in-law Diane Cobb.

 The family would like to give special thanks to the loving staff at Renaissance Senior Living, many of whom became like a second family to Ardythe and her family. We are very grateful to the devoted Agrace Hospice staff, especially “Ben the RN”, who helped make it possible for her to spend her last few weeks at home surrounded by the people she loved.

 A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00am on Wednesday December 4, 2024, at Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, 405 S. Owen Drive in Madison. Visitation will take place immediately preceding the Mass from 10:00-11:00am. Attendees are invited to a luncheon at the church immediately following the Mass. Following the luncheon, Ardythe will be taken to her final resting place, next to her husband, Roger, in the Mausoleum at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery in Madison.

 The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Madison Area Rehabilitation Centers (MARC).

 You were an inspiration to us and so many others, and your efforts will positively impact generations to come. We will always love you and hold the hope that we will see you again.

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service

3610 Speedway Road, Madison

(608) 238-3434

Please share your memories at www.cressfuneralservice.com