Ardis (Oikle) Marsden

Ardis (Oikle) Marsden passed away peacefully on Tuesday, November 3, 2020, at the Inn at Fairview after a period of declining health. She was surrounded by her family. Ardis was born on April 20, 1928, in Medford, Massachusetts and was the daughter of the late Lawson and Elizabeth (Miller) Oikle. She was the wife of Allan Marsden. They were married on August 21, 1948, at Roslindale Baptist church, and enjoyed 38 years of marriage until his death in 1986. She was a graduate of Roslindale High School and graduated from BU School of Practical Arts and Letters. Ardis was a homemaker when her children were young, and worked part time as an Administrative Assistant for several firms, including Essex Plastics in Peabody, MA, Berkshire Life in Pittsfield, MA, Nashua High School, Sanders Associates, in Merrimack, NH, and the Defense Contracts Administration Services (DCAS). Ardis retired from the government in 1994.

She was a member of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees (NARFE). She was a communicant of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Chelmsford, Massachusetts. Throughout the years she enjoyed traveling, spending summers in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, and vacations to North Conway, NH. She also traveled to California, Germany, and Switzerland where she visited Oberamagau with her fellow Trinity Church parishioners. Ardis was a member of the quilting group at her church. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren, playing cards, reading stories, playing Scrabble, and attending their school events and plays. Ardis was loved by everyone, and was known for her generosity and compassionate spirit. Ardis was pre-deceased by her son-in-law, James R. Birr, and her brother-in-law and his wife, Warren and Ila Marsden.

Ardis is survived by her daughters, Sandra (James) Birr of Nashua, NH, Jeanne Marsden of Hudson, NH, Dianne Marsden and her companion Edward Rzepala of Lowell, MA. Also, five grandchildren who were her pride and joy, Andrew Birr of Hudson, NH, Allan Birr and his fiancé Leila Harte of Rye, NH, Gregory Birr of Hudson, NH, Vincent Marsden of Hudson, NH, Jonathan Rzepala and his wife Martha of Lowell, MA, five great grandchildren, Kaitlyn Birr, Ian Birr, Lillian Birr, Griffin Birr, Sophia Rzepala and Kathryn Rzepala. Ardis also leaves behind her former Granddaughters-in-law, Sandy Stickney Birr and Tanner Clark. She is also survived by many cousins and friends in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, Canada, as well as in the US.

We would like to thank the staff of the Inn at Fairview, especially the Hardy Section where Ardis made her home for the last year, for their kindness and compassion.

SERVICES: A Funeral Service will be held at Davis Funeral Home, 1 Lock St., Nashua, NH, at 11:30 am, Monday November 9, 2020. A procession to The Gardens at Gethsemane , 670 Baker St, West Roxbury, MA 02132, will take place after the funeral service and will be followed by a Committal Service by the graveside at 1:30 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Ardis may be sent to The Memorial Fund at Trinity Lutheran Church, 170 Old Westford Rd., Chelmsford, MA 01824, or visit them online at https://www.tlc-chelmsford.org/online-giving. The Davis Funeral Home has been placed in charge of arrangements. An online guest-book is available at https://www.davisfuneralhomenh.com. “ONE MEMORY LIGHTS ANOTHER.”