Nadine Gay Wachal was born to Cliff and Una Sterling on February 28th, 1960. She grew up in their Edison Avenue home in Winnipeg along with her two older brothers; Clayton (married to Val) and Brad (married to Wendi). Nadine also had an older sister, Kathy, who died at birth in 1958. In 1978, she met Randy Wachal who became the love of her life. Nadine and Randy were married on July 26, 1980. They celebrated their 40th Wedding Anniversary this past summer. Together, they raised three sons; Matthew (married to Andrea, grandchildren Liam and Hannah), Daniel (married to Megan, grandchild Mpilo), and Nathan (married to Caitlin, grandchildren James, Emerson, Elliot and Celia). Throughout her upbringing and into adulthood, Nadine and her family maintained a special relationship with her Uncle Bob & Aunty Beth McLeod and Aunty Flo McLeod.
Nadine worked at the Royal Bank until Matthew was born in 1985. From that point on she fully embraced becoming ‘mom’. Daniel and Nathan also joined the family in 1987 and 1988. Nadine was famous with the boy’s school classmates for the chocolate cookies that she baked every Monday right until their graduations. Her warm hospitality was felt by so many, through bonfires, birthday parties, youth events hosted at ‘the Wachal’s’, new years eve parties, and so much more. Nadine and Randy made every effort together to help others feel welcome and at home. Summers as a family were typically spent at the cabin in Hillside Beach, camping their way all over Canada and the United States and sometimes just enjoying a good thunderstorm from the front deck at home.
After the boys had graduated, Nadine began working again, first at World of Water and then later at Luther Personnel Care Home, a job she cherished. One of her tasks was managing the petty cash bank for the residents which led to her regularly having positive interactions and gave her a lot of joy and many good stories. Her smile, easy-going nature and ability to make “strangers” feel welcomed like family served her well in both her professional and personal life.
Nadine enjoyed the Arts. With friends and with Randy, she regularly attended events the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, and Manitoba Theatre Centre. She shared her passion for music with her sons and instilled in them an appreciation for many different artistic expressions.
Nadine and Randy were committed to their marriage with each other and decided to attend a Marriage Encounter (ME) weekend in 1984 that greatly impacted their relationship then and over the next 40 years. Together, they led marriage preparation and enrichment classes for many couples. Nadine never liked being front and centre but truly cared about what others were feeling, thinking and tried to provide help, love and gentle guidance whenever and to whoever she could.
As her boys got married and began to grow their own families, Nadine found another love and passion, her grandchildren. Nadine LOVED being a grandmother and cherished times she had with each one of her seven grandchildren. Whether it was sitting on her lap to read, ‘The monster at the end of this book’, playing ‘kitchen’ together, or dusting off one of the old toys so it could be enjoyed again, the joyful chaos of children in the house once again was welcomed.
Nadine enjoyed travelling and she and Randy went to many places together. While Nadine enjoyed visiting the Koala Bear Park in Australia, taking part in a cooking class in Paris with a friend, and marveling at the beauty of the Grand Canyon, she was also happy just walking or shopping in a new location, or even watching the bears at the Gillam dump. Nadine was never comfortable flying in a plane but with Gravol as a companion, the trip was always worth the effort getting there.
In 2015, brain cancer struck very dramatically and life changed in an instant. Chemotherapy and radiation of that first year were very difficult and resulted in a much tighter walk with God. She had always had a personal relationship with God, but this was different. In spite of the odds Nadine survived with cancer for 6 years, walking and trusting in the Lord each day. Her gentle quiet spirit remained when situations around her were anything but gentle and quiet. She decided to be positive, treat others well and take each day on its own, day by day. Her prayers were answered by being allowed to stay in her home until she began her new life with Jesus Christ.
Nadine and Randy would like to thank those people who were positive role models to them, and provided positive examples during their early married years, those who supported and encouraged them in raising their family and prayed with them during the challenges of the past several years. The family would also like to acknowledge all the doctors, nurses, aids, technicians who treated them so compassionately during some very difficult moments.
Nadine Loved. She Loved God. She Loved her Randy. She loved her boys and their spouses. She loved her grandchildren. She loved her extended Family. She loved her friends. She loved strangers who would become friends. She believed in kind words and saw the best in those who she met. We will miss you Nadine, very much.
A private family service will be held on Monday, June 14th due to covid restrictions. A video link will be provided sometime later this week.
Any Donations can be made to Cancer Care Manitoba or a charity of your choosing.
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Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Nadine Wachal Wednesday June 9th 2021..
Décès pour la Ville: Oakbank, Province: Manitoba