Nadine Lee Priester

Nadine graduated from the University of South Florida (USF) with academic honors from the school of Language and Literature in 1973, majoring in Philosophy.

Nadine began working at the USF Library following graduation, before moving to the office of Continuing Education and the Department of Criminology, from which she retired.

She and her life-partner, the late, William G. McClelland (Bill), joined with their dear friend, Nancy Serrano and others, to organize the first-ever labor union for workers at USF and other Florida state universities. They became leaders of the AFSCME Florida union and helped represent workers at the bargaining table, winning key benefits and salary increases, while assisting in the filing of grievances against unfair management practices.

Nadine made a huge positive impact in the work lives of all employees at USF and around the state.

Nadine was famous for her cooking, too, and gathered many dear friends over the years when she and Bill threw annual parties at New Years and Thanksgiving and the epic birthday bashes every June 18.

She is survived by her sister, Linda Priester Steeley and her husband, Jack Steeley; niece-in-law, Christina and her husband, David Hutchins and her daughters, Savannah and Madison; and brother-in-law, Scott McClelland and wife, Joan and family.