Nadene had an irresistible personality, with an infectious laugh, sparkling smile and ever-positive attitude which brought joy to everyone she met. She was gentle, kind and generous. She had a strong sense of right and wrong, but always applied it with a forbearance and understanding of the nature and circumstances of others. What others might see as flaws, she would enthusiastically embrace as individuality.
So, it was natural that she took to teaching. Children were her passion. She came to school early to ensure the class preparation was just right; she stayed late to be available to anyone who needed help; every summer was spent researching practical educational issues and completely revamping the teaching plans and materials she had used before. She was adored by students and parents alike.
In 1970, on a visit to her friend Noreen, in Waterloo, Ontario, she met Johnny Carline. Noreen’s boyfriend, Tom, had asked Johnny to make up a foursome and try to “take Nadene off their hands” for the evening. Johnny did, but not just for the evening. It was love at first dance. They got engaged within a month, married within four, and remained totally in love for the next 53 years.
In 1975 she had her first child, Jonathan, and stepped away from teaching to focus her attention on her new parental responsibilities. The qualities that had made her such a superb teacher also made her a superb mother. Medical complications indicated that having a second child could be dangerous but when it was determined, in 1979, that another child might be possible, her second child, Gareth, “her little angel”, was born soon afterwards. She wanted her boys to grow up with an unbreakable bond to last beyond her and, indeed, the bond between them all would remain forever deep and strong.
She turned to volunteering, teaching language skills to would-be citizens and life skills to mentally disabled. Then, much against her will, she was persuaded to run for election for School Trustee in New Westminster. She would win three terms, all the while rejecting partisan politics and remaining resolutely independent. She was elected Chair of the Board and through her positive, non-confrontational style won unprecedented Provincial funding to ensure the replacement of Spencer School would meet post Oakland-San Francisco earthquake standards.
But the classroom always beckoned. She quit politics, returned to teaching in Richmond, and spent the happiest days of her career there. Provincial officials singled her out to be a model for teacher education. In 2009, after a career spanning over four decades, she retired, happy and fulfilled, having changed the lives of scores of children and aspiring teachers.
In 2011, she and Johnny moved to Metchosin where she pursued her passions for literature (joining the book club), theatre, walking, watching the swans and buffleheads which always made her laugh, and following sports, especially tennis and soccer. She and Johnny spent her last morning at home enthusiastically cheering on their beloved Newcastle United winning a spot in the European Champions League.
Most of all, she simply enjoyed the company of the friends she made in her new community.
All this was ended on June 1, when Nadene died after two cruel brain hemorrhages. Johnny, her boys (Jonathan and Gareth), her sister (Karen) and brother-in-law (Ramesh) were at her bedside. Her daughters-in-law (Nicole and Lenorah) and granddaughters (Kate and Alexandria) maintained a remote, loving vigil.
Nadene leaves a hole in our lives that can never be filled, a hurt in our hearts that will take an eternity to heal. She also left us an example of dauntless courage to face the storms that occur in life and of an unalterably positive attitude, to think the best of people and to brighten every day.
Bereft we may be; but we are still the luckiest of people to have known, loved and been loved by this wonderful and special lady.
Those who knew her are invited to attend a celebration of her life and share and enjoy stories about Nadene, at the Metchosin Firehall, at 4440 Happy Valley Road, on Sunday, June 25, beginning at 2 pm.