Ardyce LaFreniere passed peacefully on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at the age of 89. She was surrounded by her family. 

She is survived by her husband of 50 years, Richard LaFreniere; her daughters, Teri, Jamie, and Mandi Walters; her grand-daughter, Taylor Walters-Gregory; and her niece and nephew, Sheila Yale Slater and John Yale, Sr.; as well as a host of kids from other mothers who always were welcomed at her home and table. She was pre-deceased by her parents, Elna G. Yale and Annabel Miller Yale, and her older brother, Vernon “Ernie” Yale.

Ardyce was born in Sparrowbush, N.Y. and raised in Port Jervis, N.Y. She was a 1950s teenager who loved Elvis and the other crooners of her teen-years; and she had her own well-used roller skates kept in a pink leatherette case. She remainedlifelong friends with her close high school chum Mary Witkowski Demko, and several others.

She loved to dance, and would do a mean jitterbug at any opportunity. She enjoyed people, parties, and a good conversation about politics, and she volunteered over the years for a number of local and regional campaigns. Ardyce could often be found with people crowded around her dining room table for a good meal or board games.

A passionate and loyal fan of the NY Jets, she cheered for them win or lose over the years (famously calling the President of the United States when “the Heidi game” was interrupted by the network in overtime to air the movie Heidi!).

She could be found in the stands at the Port Jervis Raiders games, and in recent years cheered from her front porch when the Raiders teams were escorted through town after their NYS championship win and beating the Middletown rivals to keep the bell!

She enjoyed many an adventure and road trip with her husband Richard, her daughters and grand-daughter: she was always up for thrifting; browsing antiques and collectibles stores to find vintage glass pieces and knickknacks; looking for decorations for holidays and seasons; and enjoying a good meal at various diners, cafes, and restaurants. An avid reader, she could always be found with books and magazines, whether in a bookstore with a latte or at home with her cat and husband nearby. She was resilient and witty through all of life’s ups and downs, and she will be missed — and well-remembered — by all.

As per her wishes services are private.  A celebration of life will be announced in the near future. 

Cremation MacLennan Hall Crematorium.  Funeral arrangements entrusted to the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home of Port Jervis, NY.