Nadine Lee

Nadine was born on July 22, 1927, in Steble, Poland, to Samuel & Olana Diatel. When she was just a year old, in1928, the family immigrated to Canada, and moved to Grassland, Alberta, where Samuel purchased a quarter section of land for ten dollars. The family grew to include her brother Mike and her sisters Jan and Mary. It was very remote, and from a young age Nadine wanted a different life. She loved to read, and wanted an education. As there wasn’t a high school in the area, her parents arranged for her to live in Edmonton and finish high school. She taught school for a couple of years in Edmonton after finishing high school, and then moved to Vancouver BC.

In Vancouver, friends introduced her to the love of her life, a dashing, handsome entrepreneur, Dave Lee. They married in March of 1958, and settled in a little house in Burnaby BC. A year later their daughter Leslie was born, and 3 years later their son David followed. The family moved to Vernon BC for several years before emigrating to the United States, looking for opportunity and a better life. Dave was hired by Ben’s Truck Parts in Seattle, and while working there he saw an opportunity to create a business, filling a need that was unmet in the market. In 1972 Dave and Nadine started Drivelines NW. They put every ounce of their money and energy into starting the business and eventually making it thrive. The company continued to do well over the years, and David Jr took over as owner when they both retired.

Nadine & Dave had a fabulous life together. While they were working they had an RV and traveled with friends, and once they retired they lived their dream, traveling the US and Canada, with trips to Aruba, Asia & Europe and many trips to Mexico and Hawaii. They had a home in Arizona that they went to in the winter, and a condo on Whidbey Island that they loved in the summer time. They shared many wonderful memories with their children, Leslie and David as well as their grandchildren Corey and Cameron, and extensive number of friends. One of Nadine's greatest joys was being with family and friends.

Nadine was the always elegantly dressed and never appeared without looking her best, made up and accessorized with matching jewelry and high heels. She loved to shop for clothes and loved sparkle, but the thing she valued the most was being social with friends and family. Every chance she got, she delighted in games such as Rummikub, Bingo, and cards, with her friends. When there weren't games to be played or social engagements, she could be seen with her nose in a book. She cherished reading, particularly the classics, frequently sharing her favorite saying, “To thine own self be true,” which we heard countless times throughout her life.

She was deemed the Queen Bee at Washington Oakes when she lived there, and became a loved resident at Brookdale as well. Nadine had a rare gift for making people feel comfortable, included, and valued. She gathered friends wherever she went — through work, games, music, and everyday encounters — ensuring her life remained full of companionship, kindness, and joy.

Over the years, Nadine experienced the quiet sorrow of outliving many of her friends and relatives. Dave passed away in 2014, and in the same year she lost her grandson Corey. Over the years she lost many more friends and family members and she carried with her the memories of those she had lost and the friendships she had, with firm conviction she would join them once again.

Loved deeply. Remembered always. Missed beyond measure.