Born on January 29, 1948, in Rochester, New York, Ardella was the youngest daughter of seven children of the late Carl and Helen Mae Johnson.
Throughout her life, Ardella dedicated herself to caring for others through her work as a Certified Nursing Assistant, a profession that reflected her kind and compassionate spirit. She enjoyed traveling, had a keen eye for thrift shop bargains and loved Lhasas and Shih Tzus. Those who knew her well, jokingly called her a gypsy as she was constantly on the move. Ardella's favorite song was "My Way" by Frank Sinatra, which reflected how she lived her life.
Ardella is lovingly remembered by her children, Mark Anthony Cruz and Raquel Nichole Arthurs; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sisters, Carol Tirado and Joyce Terrance; her brother, Carl Norman Johnson; dear niece Valerie Zimmerman and her best friends Dorothy “Dot” Fallon and Anna Kirawas-Calderon.
In addition to her parents, Ardella was preceded in death by her sister, Ardith Mendez, and her brothers, Ronald Johnson and Robert Johnson.
