Nadine Velora Leslie

Longtime Hayden resident, Nadine Velora Leslie, passed away January 2, 2025 after a brief stay in the hospital. She was 79 years old. Nadine was proud to say she was born at Solandt Hospital in Hayden, Colorado, on May 23, 1945, to Truman and Velora Leslie. When she was very young, her parents purchased and ran the Hayden Pharmacy. She spoke of working there from the time she was old enough to see over the counter.

Nadine graduated as Valedictorian from Hayden High School in 1963 and then went on to pursue secondary education with a bachelor’s degree (Honors Program) from Colorado State College. She graduated in 1967.

Among her many accomplishments during this time in college is her recognition in the 1966 publication of Outstanding Young Women of America. Along with her Peace Corp volunteerism, she was acknowledged for her involvement as Worthy Advisor, the Order of the Rainbow (1958-65); Order of the Eastern Star (1964); Pi Lambda Theta (1965); Kappa Delta Pi ; Gold Key; VP, Association Women Studies (1966); Outstanding Freshman and Sophomore Woman, Pi Lambda Theta (1964 & 1965), SPUR of the Quarter (1965); Jr. Woman, Association Women Studies (1966).

Upon graduation, Nadine joined the Peace Corps and taught English as a Second Language for two years in the Philippines. She learned to speak and understand some of their language as well. Recently, while attending physical therapy, she challenged herself by counting the reps of her exercises using Pilipino numbers. While going through treasures at home, she held tight to anything that was from the Philippines. This was such a special time in her life.

When her time with the Peace Corps mission was complete, she and a friend spent 110 days travelling Asia and Europe on $5 a day. During these travels, she wanted to collect something to commemorate the many places they visited. She thought that the usual salt and pepper shakers, coasters or shot glasses were all too heavy and bulky, so she decided to start her one-of-a-kind toilet paper collection! She loved that she could keep a piece from each place she visited and, after writing on it where it was from, keep it all neatly in an envelope until she returned home and placed them all neatly in 3-ring binders. Toilet paper squares were something she could collect that would easily clear customs, was lightweight and easy to collect. When asked which country had the best toilet paper, she quickly answered “Sweden.”

Nadine began her teaching career in 1971 and taught sixth and then fifth graders for 28 years in Hayden. She certainly touched the lives of thousands of children and their families over this time. She retired in 1999. It was very common for her to run into past students everywhere she went.

Nadine loved to travel. During her years of teaching, she would often travel during spring break and also take a summer trip, many of which were abroad including Scotland, England, Switzerland, Ireland and Norway.

Nadine was gifted in and loved anything musical. She loved singing in her church choir at Hayden Congregational Church. She often played the guitar for her students in school but wasn’t fond of playing in public for others. She played the clarinet in the band at school. She also enjoyed playing the keyboard. Over her lifetime, she has composed several songs and/or poems, some of which were sung at her church. She even wrote a song about Hash Browns! That takes some skill and a great sense of humor.

She contributed significantly to the Hayden Heritage Museum. She compiled a collection of memories and photographs about growing up in Hayden in the middle of the 20th century. Together with her sister, Jan, they self-published the book Anthracite, Barbee, and Tosh, under Walnut Street Publishing. Although Jan was the author of three published books and numerous files and notebooks documenting the history of Hayden, Mount Harris Local businesses, schools, and churches, Nadine was responsible for the “business stuff of publishing,” some photography and research and a lot of editing.

Nadine did a lot of work on the genealogy of her family dating back to well before they came to America from Scotland and England. Much of her travel was associated with the genealogical study of her family.

In 2023, she was selected for the Hayden High School Tiger Wall of Fame, an honor that was well-deserved.

She was extremely humble and rarely told stories of all these wonderful adventures and accomplishments life brought her way. She was so kind, loving and caring to all. She was extremely generous in her giving to many non-profit organizations.

The cats around Hayden knew that if they needed a loving home, they could show up at the Leslie house and would get just that. That house was home for many, many cats over the years. Her most recent love, Max, passed away just five days before Nadine passed away.

Nadine is preceded in death by her parents, Truman & Velora Leslie, sister, Janet Leslie, brother, Richard Leslie. She is survived by many in her church family and community who loved her dearly.

A Celebration of Life will be held for Nadine at Hayden Congregational Church, 202 East Jefferson, Hayden, at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 25, 2025 with lunch following.