- A Tribute to Margery "Marge" Nadalin (née Calov) -

On June 11, 2026, Margery "Marge" Nadalin passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by the love of the family she cherished above all else.

To know Marge was to know kindness, strength, determination, and a quiet devotion to the people she loved. She often described herself as serious, private, conservative, caring, and perhaps a little stubborn. Those who knew her best would likely agree with all of that—but they would also tell you she was fiercely loyal, incredibly resilient, and loved deeply, even when her love was expressed more through actions than words.

Marge's story began on a farm near Port Macquarie, New South Wales, Australia, where she was born into a large family of ten children. Life was simple, hardworking, and often challenging. There was no electricity, chores began before dawn, and every family member contributed. Those early years shaped the woman she would become: resourceful, independent, compassionate, and grateful for life's blessings.

From a young age, Marge knew she wanted to be a nurse. Determined to pursue her dream, she began nursing training at just sixteen years old after receiving special permission from the Governor of New South Wales. She completed her nursing education and went on to earn advanced qualifications in general nursing, obstetrics, midwifery, and mothercraft care—specialized training that allowed her to care for mothers and babies during some of the most important moments of their lives. She was immensely proud of her profession and approached it with skill, dedication, and compassion.

In the 1960s, Marge left Australia and travelled across the world to Canada. She settled in Toronto, where she worked as a nurse at St. Joseph's Hospital near High Park. It was a courageous journey for a young woman travelling so far from home, but courage was something Marge possessed in abundance.

At the very same time, another young immigrant was beginning a new chapter in Canada. Angelo Nadalin had arrived from Morsano al Tagliamento, a small town in the Province of Pordenone in Italy's Friuli-Venezia Giulia region. Like so many newcomers, he came seeking opportunity, carrying with him determination, hard work, and dreams for the future.

Fate brought them together at Toronto's famous Palais Royale dance hall along the shores of Lake Ontario.

Family legend tells the story that Angelo approached Marge and asked her for a dance because of a bet. Someone had challenged him, insisting he couldn't get "the blonde" to dance with him.

He accepted the challenge.

And he won the bet.

What makes the story even more remarkable is that neither of them spoke the other's language. Marge spoke English. Angelo spoke Italian. Yet somehow, in those first moments on the dance floor, language mattered far less than connection.

From that simple dance grew a love story that would span decades, cross continents, build a family, and create a lifetime of memories. A beautiful life together began with a single dance and two young people willing to take a chance on one another.

They married in 1974 in Sudbury, Ontario, and built a life grounded in love, partnership, hard work, and family. Together they welcomed two children, Charlene and Andrew (Andy), who would remain the center of Marge's world throughout her life.

As her family grew, Marge made the decision to step away from nursing to raise her children and support Angelo's masonry business. Like so many things she did, she embraced this role wholeheartedly.

In 1981, the family moved to Martin County, Florida, where Marge once again became an indispensable partner in building a future for her family. She helped establish Pace 2000 Custom Homes on Florida's Treasure Coast and played a significant role in its success. While Angelo oversaw construction, Marge managed much of the contracting process and guided countless homeowners through the exciting task of selecting colors, finishes, and design details that would make their houses feel like home.

Yet if you asked Marge what her greatest accomplishment was, she would never have pointed to a career, a business, or any material achievement.

Her answer would have been simple: her family.

She was endlessly proud of her daughter Charlene and son Andy, and she welcomed Joe Raco and Amanda Nadalin into the family with open arms. Her grandchildren—Austin, Jade, and Jaxon—brought her immeasurable joy.

To them, she wasn't Grandma.

She was "Grame"—pronounced "Gram-ee."

True to her creative spirit, she invented the name herself by reversing the letters in MARGE to create GRAM and moving the "E" to the end. It was uniquely hers, just as she was uniquely theirs.

Her grandchildren adored their Grame. She celebrated their successes, encouraged their dreams, and loved them unconditionally.

And then there was one family debate that never truly ended.

Charlene and Andy spent decades lovingly and jokingly arguing over which of them was Mom's favorite.

The truth, of course, is that neither ever won the debate.

Marge loved them both completely and unconditionally, and she undoubtedly enjoyed watching the argument continue.

Beyond family, Marge was a gifted self-taught artist. Her paintings reflected her creativity, patience, and appreciation for beauty. Today, many of her works hang in the homes of family and friends, serving as lasting reminders of her talent and the joy she found in creating something meaningful with her own hands.

In 2001, Marge experienced one of the greatest losses of her life when Angelo passed away. Though she missed him deeply every day thereafter, the love they shared never diminished. They built a remarkable life together, and now, after twenty-five years apart, she will be laid to rest beside her beloved Angelo in a private family ceremony.

Marge once wrote that her roots, experiences, and personality made her who she was. She believed that love comes in many forms and that family was life's greatest gift.

She lived those beliefs every day.

She experienced hardship and happiness. She travelled across continents. She cared for countless patients, raised a family, built businesses, created art, forged friendships, and left behind a legacy of love that cannot be measured.

Most importantly, she made the people around her feel cared for.

That is how she will be remembered.

Not only for what she accomplished, but for who she was.

A devoted wife.

A loving mother.

A cherished Grame.

A talented artist.

A trusted friend.

A remarkable woman.

And a deeply loved member of a family that will carry her memory forward for generations to come.

While her family will miss her every day, they take comfort in knowing that the love she gave so freely does not end here. It lives on in her children, her grandchildren, her paintings, her stories, and the countless memories she created throughout her life.

Marge spent a lifetime caring for the people she loved. And though she is no longer here beside them, her family knows she will continue watching over them, cheering them on, and loving them from above—just as she always has.

After twenty-five years apart, she is now reunited with her beloved Angelo.

Together again