Dear friends,

We're writing to let you know about the loss of Mike Ardoin. He entered eternal rest on Friday, January 7, 2022, at Christus St. Frances Cabrini Medical Center in Alexandria, Louisiana. Mike’s obituary can be found here.

We are absolutely devastated by Mike’s passing. Throughout their lives, Mike and his wife, Pam, put others first and were true servant leaders. The friends and family they've helped physically, financially, and emotionally over the years are too numerous to count. They always look for ways to help others, even while struggling themselves.

Over the past 10 years, Mike and Pam faced tough times. Mike was laid off from his job, forced to retire early and begin drawing Social Security before he turned 60. As the sole provider for his family, he lost his identity and struggled with the mental health problems that losing employment often brings.

In the years following his retirement, he had several hospital stays, underwent multiple surgeries and used a wheelchair because of severe spinal stenosis in his lower back and complications from diabetes and a stroke. After a recent fall earlier this year which prompted another hospital stay and surgery, Mike moved into Hilltop Nursing Center, to be cared for around the clock by their compassionate staff. Complications from that surgery sent him back to the hospital for another month-long stay. He was just starting to recover and was back at Hilltop when the Lord decided to take him home.

Pam has been his primary caregiver ever since Mike's medical problems surfaced. She cared for him day and night at their home for as long as she could, tending to his needs and helping him adjust to the new life they both were dealt. She stayed by his side during each hospital stay, and would visit him daily at Hilltop, bringing him whatever he needed and often staying with him the entire day. She did all of this while keeping their household afloat.

As you can imagine, these struggles caused a tremendous financial strain. Pam has done the best she can -- better than most -- but their life savings are nearly depleted, and she will face reduced Social Security payments (her only income) now that Mike is gone. Despite his ongoing health problems, his passing was unexpected -- we thought we had many more years with him here on Earth.

I’ve started a fundraiser to collect donations for Pam, to help pay for funeral and medical expenses and provide financial help as she navigates this world without Mike.

Please consider donating if you are able to do so. We are so very grateful for every donation during this difficult time. Pam needs our support and care, in every way, and if we can take the financial burden to a lessor degree immediately, then she can continue to move forward through this very trying time. Thank you. The Ardoin family and friends.