Our History
The Ardie Fay Foundation was born from love — the kind of love that endures through generations and keeps giving even after someone is gone.
Our story began with Ardie Fay Robertson, a woman whose life reflected faith, family, and kindness in everything she did. Her heart for others inspired the people around her, especially her family, to live with the same compassion and grace that she showed every day.
Where It All Began
Ardie’s story started in Lonaconing, Maryland, a small mining town where neighbors took care of one another and hard work was part of life. She grew up surrounded by community and faith, learning early on that helping others is one of life’s greatest callings.
After marrying her high school sweetheart, Ardie devoted her life to her family. She raised four children while her husband served in the Air Force, and through each move and each new challenge, she kept her family strong. Her love was steady, her faith unshakable, and her kindness something everyone could feel.
Those values never left her. They guided her through the joys and struggles of life, even as she grew older and faced the challenges of dementia. Through it all, Ardie’s spirit never dimmed. Her laughter, her love, and her faith continued to shine through.
Her family watched her strength and grace through that season and realized how many others were walking the same path — caring for aging loved ones and facing the emotional and practical challenges that come with it. They also saw how many seniors were living alone, without the companionship and care that make life rich and meaningful.
Turning Love Into Action
That realization sparked something in Ardie’s son Craig Schelling and his wife Travis Schelling. They wanted to do more than remember her; they wanted to continue what she had always done — caring for others.
What began as a few small acts of service quickly grew into a larger mission. They started by helping seniors in their own community, visiting those who felt forgotten, offering prayers, and bringing comfort to families facing the challenges of aging and dementia.
As more people joined them, the vision became clear. There was a deep need for a faith-based organization that could bring comfort, companionship, and care to seniors and families in need. And so, the Ardie Fay Foundation was created — named to honor the woman whose life of love had inspired it all.
Growing With Purpose
From the very beginning, the foundation has been built on faith. Every decision, every visit, and every new program is guided by prayer and a desire to do what is right in the eyes of God.
Over time, what started as a family effort has grown into a community movement. Volunteers, churches, and local partners have joined in, helping expand the foundation’s reach and strengthen its programs. Each new person who gets involved helps carry Ardie’s legacy a little further.
The foundation has continued to grow not through big campaigns or attention, but through small, steady acts of kindness — the same way Ardie lived her life. It is a reminder that the most powerful impact often comes from simple, genuine care.
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Honoring the Past, Serving the Present, Building the Future
Today, the Ardie Fay Foundation stands as a living tribute to Ardie’s life and the faith that guided her family. It is a reminder that love can endure, grow, and multiply long after one person’s time on earth has ended.
The foundation continues to serve seniors, families, and caregivers with the same compassion that started it all. Each act of service, each prayer, and each moment of care is part of her story still being written.
As Craig and Travis often say, this work is not just about what has been done, but about what can still be done. It is about honoring the past, serving the present, and building a future where no senior feels forgotten and no family feels alone.
Her Legacy Lives On
What began as one woman’s way of living has become a foundation that touches lives far beyond her own. Through faith, service, and community, the Ardie Fay Foundation keeps her spirit alive every single day.
Her story reminds us that one person, guided by love, can make a difference that lasts for generations. That truth continues to light the path forward for everyone who serves in her name.
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205 1st Street S, Fortine, MT 59918