Ardith (“Ardie”) Neath Adams, died peacefully on July 1, 2026, two weeks before her 97th birthday. Born and raised on Long Island, New York, Ardie moved to Michigan in the 1950s. The couple lived in Ann Arbor while her husband, Joe Neath, studied law, and she worked for a local law firm. When Joe joined Warner, Norcross + Judd LLP in 1957, they relocated to the Ada area. Ardie’s long-term passion for American Saddlebred horses led to the establishment of Bryndale Farm. For many years, she bred those special horses and competed at a high-level (including Madison Square Garden).
Ardie graduated from Briarcliff Junior College (Briarcliff Manor, NY, 1946-1948) and Denison University (Granville, OH). She also graduated from the Katharine Gibbs School in New York City for secretarial training. She was preceded in death by husbands Joe Neath and Tim Adams. She leaves behind numerous distant cousins, nieces and nephews, and their families, as well as many dear friends, including what she joked were her “Ada Mafia” women-friends.
Ardie enjoyed a magnificent sense of style and was known for always being well-dressed and put together. Also, she adored animals—all animals. In addition to her horses, she always had cats and dogs (especially Airedale dogs). She was thrilled to travel to see the wild animals of Africa. And she especially loved otters.
Most recently a resident at Porter Hills Assisted Living, she lived at Cook Valley Estates for nearly 20 years after moving from her country farm in Ada. Many thanks to the staff at Porter Hills for their care and attention during Ardie’s final months, and to her assistant, Dorothy Greenley, CNA, who was by Ardie’s side for the past four years.
A graveside service will be held on Tuesday, July 21st at 11am at Findlay Cemetery in Ada, MI. A luncheon will be served following the service at Watermark Country Club. Memorial contributions can be made in Ardie’s memory at Grand Rapids Community Foundation (185 Oakes St SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503) or Denison University (100 W College St, Granville, OH 43023) or to the Morris Animal Foundation (720 S Colorado Blvd #174a, Denver, CO 80246).
Ardith Neath Adams
07/14/1929
07/01/2026
11 Responses
My sincere condolences to Family and Dear Friends Friends … Ardie was a gracious a beautiful and a loving person she will be deeply missed ❣️
May Ardie rest in the arms of Jesus❣️
My family lived “just up the road” from Ardie on Conservation St in Ada. My mom, Edna Martin, and she were friends – both part of the “Ada Mafia”. She was a lovely, classy lady. My sincerest sympathies to all her friends and family.
I cleaned house for Ardie for 15 years in Cook Valley. I have many fond memories of her. She had a great sense of humor and loved Burger King. After I retired I still continued to see her in Cook Valley and a few times at Porter Hills. She gave me several things which I will treasure and remember the great years we spent together.
Love you Aunt Ardith,wish we could have spent more time together.Hope you and Mom are making up for lost time! Love you!
Ardie was a good friend of one of my cousins, and my mother. Through my mother, who passed away in 2024, I became friends with Ardie. We would dine out or at my house together. My life was enriched knowing Ardie. She was an interesting and as others have said, gracious lady. We all shared a closeness with animals. I will miss her.
I met Ardie because of our mutual love of the American Saddlebred horse. Because of that, she hired me to work a Bryndale Farm. Those years were a dream come true for a horse crazy girl! After the farm closed we always kept in touch and I called her my “other Mother”, we have been friends for more than 50 years. I’m going to miss sending her my dog show updates and the many pictures. Ardie never failed to ask about my dogs. She was a big part of my life and I will miss her.
I’m going to finally call you Aunt Ardie, Ardith was a long time habit🩷. Thank you for all the talks we’ve had, and our joined love for animals. We definitely got that from you. I know we lived far apart since I was a kid but The visits and reunions were very special to me.I and the Kids and Grandkids will miss our yearly Merry Christmas shout out to you over the phone this year and more years to come. I will see you again one glorious day, That I know💕
Had to fix the mistake: Aunt Ardie, love jeanie
Ardie
Reading my misspelled word. Ardie. 💕
Ardie married my Uncle Tim in the late nineties. We quickly bonded with our love of horses and our shared July 14th birthday. I so wish we had made our trip to Paris to celebrate our birthdays and their independence day. Thank you for being like a second mother after my mom died. Cherished our talks and you advised. And you always beat me in the cherry 🍒 dead contest! You are free to ride once again.