Ardelia Van Ness

Schenectady - Ardelia Mae Van Ness, 78, passed away Saturday, March 27, 2021 with God by her side. Ardelia was the daughter of the late Woodrow and Maria Coleman. She was born on April 20, 1942 in Hudson and was raised in Rensselaer. She was in the Rensselaer school system and graduated from Van Rensselaer High School in 1960. While in high school she met the love of her life - Rodney Norman Van Ness Sr.

On April 28, 1962, Rodney and Ardelia married. They shared a love since the tender age of 15 and were married for 58 years. There were four children created through this love - Robin Rene Van Ness, Rodney Van Ness Jr., Richard Van Ness Sr., and Rhonda Van Ness-Hood.

Ardelia spent most of her working career with New York Telephone Company. She worked her way up from operator to management positions and retired in 1992. Her retirement gave her time to do her favorite pastimes like ceramics, sewing and cooking. She was such a talented seamstress that she could (and did) make anything. If she saw it in the store she would do her best to make a pattern and duplicate it. That went for clothing, curtains, bedding - anything. Her cooking fed everyone that she knew. If you stopped by she wanted you to eat. She was especially known for her chicken and dumplings, spaghetti and potato salad. Her most important jobs which she never retired from was being a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend. Her whole life was focused on the love of her family and extended family. Many besides her own children looked at Ardelia as a mother figure. She left a special mark on the hearts of those she loved.

Ardelia was predeceased by her brother Arthur Coleman. She is survived by her husband, her four children; Robin, Rhonda, Richard Sr. and Rodney Jr., honorary children; LaVerne, Kelly, Richard and Jamil Hood Sr., 19 grandchildren; Logan, Caprice, Rodney III, Justin, Alex, Alexia, Lorenzo, Marquis, RaShon, Richard Jr., ShyAnne, Yanique, Madison, Monica, Chene, Jadan, Jordan, Nadia & Kai. goddaughter; Dionna Young, special cousin; Annabelle Newsome, sisters; Dorothy Canteen(Herman), Patricia Mallory-Smith, Marcia Coleman, brother John Coleman (Mary), 11great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Calling hours will be held at Elijah Missionary Baptist Church, 74 Second Ave., Albany, Friday, April 2, 2021 from 10:00 am to 12:00pm. A funeral service will be held at the church at 12:00 pm. Services will be available via YouTube for those who are unable to attend in person (please see link below). Interment will immediately follow the service at Memory Gardens, 983 Watervliet Shaker Rd., Colonie.

https://youtu.be/KEjmSs_hi5Y