OWLS HEAD — Ardell A. Nessler Robarts, 79, died peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, Sunday, December 26, 2021 at Pen Bay Medical Center in Rockport.

Born in Elizabeth, New Jersey, she was the daughter of Edward and Kahtleen Horton Nessler. Educated locally, Ardell attended Battin High School, an all-girls school, graduating in 1960.

Following high school Ardell married Charles “Boop” Robarts whom she met on the beach in Delware. Married on November 7, 1964, the pair honeymooned in Virginia and Washington DC, and later returned to Boop’s home town of Owls Head where they resided together until his passing in 2006.

Family was Ardell’s number one priority. She stayed at home, raising her children until they were school age. She returned to the work force in the early 1980’s, serving as the bookkeeper for Downeast Diversified on Main
Street in Rockland until it closed in 2007. Ardell remained close with co-workers, Ken Gricus and Frances Schroeder, looking forward to monthly dinner outings with them.

A lover of nature, she enjoyed tending her gardens, and watching the birds in her yard. It was always important to her to make sure the bird feeders were filled and the birds had plenty to eat. She even kept a calendar where she marked down the different birds she spotted each day. She was a talented crafter and made many beautiful embroidered pieces.

She enjoyed traveling, and especially looked forward to the family’s annual trips to Tunk Lake in Sullivan. She was thrilled to have taken all of her children and grandchildren, fourteen people in total, to Disney as a Christmas gift one year. Spending a day with each family she was able to experience all of the parks.

A selfless giver, she was always thinking of others and spent many years volunteering with AIO as well as at the St. Peters Soup Kitchen. She was an active member of the Rockland Congregational Church for almost 45 years. Over those years she has served as a Trustee, as a member of the Daughters of Dorcas, Cradle Roll Superintendent, Acolyte Director, Head Usher for over 10 years, Treasurer of the Ladies Guild, as well as helping prepare coffee hour after services and tending to the plants around the church.

Ardell had a quiet grace and strength that will be sadly missed by all who loved her.

Predeceased by her parents and her husband; Ardell is survived by her beloved children, Mark Robarts and his wife Julia of North Reading, Massachusetts, Nancy Nystrom and her husband Mark of Owls Head, Debra Benoit and her husband Kristopher of Waterford, Vermont; as well as seven grandchildren, Bradley Nystrom and his girlfriend Kamrynne Jones, Zachary Robarts, Laura Benoit, Casey Robarts, Andrew Benoit, Paige Nystrom, and Georgia Robarts.

A celebration of her life was held January 5, 2022 at Rockland Congregational Church,

Donations in Ardell’s memory may be made to either, the AIO Food and Energy Assistance Program, P.O. Box 113, Rockland, Maine 04841; or the Abiding Memorial Fund, c/o Rockland Congregational Church, 180 Limerock Street, Rockland, ME 04841.

To share a memory or condolence with the Robarts family, please visit their Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.