Nadine Ann Spencer, age 66.
On the morning of September 8, 2022 Nadine passed away at her home in Clancy, MT in the company of her husband after a brief time dealing with pancreatic cancer.
Nadine was born April 1, 1956 in Wooster, Ohio to John and Mary Rohal. She was the second child and only daughter.
Nadine is survived by her husband Jim (of 33 years) her sons Andrew (Sarah) and Zachary and granddaughters Etta and Iris. All from Helena. Nadine is also survived by her parents John and Mary Rohal of Westerville, OH; her brothers John (Debby) of Westerville, OH; and Jim (Cindy) of Ocala, FL. As well as 6 nieces and 8 (soon to be 9!) grandnieces and grandnephews.
Nadine was driven by the good and fun in life. She included everyone in her cheerfulness and empathy. She was often nurturing her garden or animals (who may or may not have acted in kind, looking at you Big Bad Biting Ben). Holidays were always special to her, establishing traditions that filled each season with her warmth and love. One especially treasured example being her cross-stitched Christmas stockings. And Christmas Eve dinner would not be complete without home-made pierogi.
Her life was filled with interesting twists and turns. Initially working behind the counter at a KFC and waitressing. She graduated from Otterbein University with a B.A. degree in Outdoor Education. And then without hesitation she headed for Hawaii for a 2-year adventure to house sit for her uncle. This was where she did stints as a security guard in a department store and then as a health teacher in a private preparatory school. Family ties then drew her back to Ohio. She joined the Ohio Department of Natural Resources as a watercraft officer. From the ODNR she became a membership CSR at the Ohio Society of CPA’s. Then took a position as a specialty claim representative for Nationwide insurance.
Between her time at the Ohio Society and Nationwide she met people that organized a night at a race track. That chance social event resulted meeting who would become her best friend for life. A sidebar from that night was whether it was a win, place, or show result. A win for sure. This was the starting line for Nadine’s next life adventure raising two sons with her husband Jim. She was actively involved in all their curricular and extra-curricular activities.
In 2008 Nadine and her family headed west to MT. In 2009 Nadine worked her first legislative session with the Montana Senate. She returned for every Session through 2021. But Sessions end and then restart and Nadine’s role expanded to interim committee duties between official Sessions. Legislative Services duties (and all her friends and associates there) brought her the biggest joy in her life’s work outside the home.
Her absolute crowning delight in life was her two granddaughters, Etta and Iris. She quickly became “Bad Grandma” (a title she gave herself!) as she was mischievous and always getting into good natured trouble: an impromptu park visit during nap time, a ride in a little red wagon during nap time, dessert first and the meal second, and falling asleep during nap time instead of the child.
She will be missed by many.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made in her memory to either the Lewis & Clark Humane Society of Helena, MT. or Florence Crittenton Family Services of Helena, MT.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
LynnEl Nos says
A perfect, lovely, tribute. Nadine was my cousin and we always had a blast when we got together. She was always smiling and upbeat, I will cherish the memories we shared. Rest peacefully Lydine…er…Nadine! (our Grandmother always mashed up our names!).
John Rohal says
My wonderful sister will be sadly missed.
We have been cherishing old photos and memories.
Jane Rosh says
We are saddened by Nadine’s passing but relished every moment we shared with her- She was indeed a special person. She will hold a special place within our family. Wishing Jim and entire family strength and peaceful memories. With love , the Rosh family
Mare and Gerry says
It’s hard to imagine a person suddenly not being here anymore and Nadine’s passing has left an especially large hole in this world. Thoughts of her always brought – and still bring- a smile to our hearts. She was so much fun to spend time with and the remembrance wonderfully captures the mischievous spark behind the twinkle in her eye. We are missing you, Nadine. And holding you, Jim and your family in our hearts. – Mare and Gerry
Nancy Todd Collier says
I came to know Nadine at The Ohio Society of CPAs. I admired her carefree spirit. Always remember her smile. A small group of our coworkers continued to stay connected and meet up years after we all went our separate ways from OSCPA. We all missed her after she moved to Montana. Special lady…deepest sympathies to her family and close friends.
Katya G says
What a wonderful person Nadine was to be around. We worked together. There was something in Nadine that made one feel comforted and comfortable. Maybe it was her genuine smile, maybe that humor bursting out of her. I so can see her being a “Bad Grandma”!! Nadine and I shared some fun stories about our cultural ancestors. I am missing our Nadine. And keeping her and her family in my thoughts.
Kali W says
I am saddened to hear this news. Nadine was such a wonderful person and a friendly, helpful face at the capitol. She will be missed.
Laurie Decatur says
Thoughts and prayers to her family and friends. We were the bottom of the hill neighbors. The Henikens. Every winter their backyard hill was a gathering of neighborhood kids. It was big and long. Many fond memories.
Laurie Decatur (Heniken)
Donna O’Neill says
Nadine was my neighbor, walking partner, co-worker and friend.
I loved her since of humor, her caring for her family and patience for her dog (Kerry). She always looked out for her sons and went to great efforts to keep them inspired.
She loved to cook and bake with Zack. It brought her joy. She was so proud of her sons and Jim, and spoke of them often. When Andrew met his soul mate, Sarah, she was delighted. She was excited about their wedding plans and talked about it as soon as she found out. She loved that Sarah had such musical talent. When the first granddaughter came along, the conversations changed from Jim, Andrew and Zack, to the new baby to soon come.
Nadine, you will forever be my friend. Thank you for that friendship and for all the walks we took, and the sharing we did in rain, snow and sub-Zero temps. You were an amazing person, one I am honored to have known.
I hope to do our walk again in honor of you and rel-live those memories.
Jim, Andrew, Sarah and Zack and granddaughters, you are in my thoughts. Your loss is great and I can only offer my condolences. Thank you for sharing her with me.
Donna
Deanna Mallchok says
My cousin Nadine was a Sista to me. Her caring immense, her love immeasurable, sense of humor hilarious and sharp, and her smile the best. When she smiled you couldn’t help but not to smile back.
I walked with Nadine, mostly on shopping trips to Seattle and visits with each other for vacations. She out walked me, her energy and determination was inspirational.
I miss you Sista.
You are so greatly missed.
Jim,, all, thinking of you
Love, Deanna and Frances
Senator Mary McNally says
I started at the legislature as a Representative one year after Nadine, and served on the Energy Committees every session and interim through the present. Nadine brought professionalism, knowledge, thoughtfulness and humor to every meeting. And there was always that smile. I will be forever grateful for the amazing individuals like Nadine who kept things (including legislators) together and even managed to make us look competent… sometimes. She was a lovely person and I was privileged to work with her. Condolences to her family and the many people who loved her.
Pat Murdo says
Nadine and I were coworkers at the Capitol, but it wasn’t until a few years ago that we found we had a more distant connection. When Nadine was visiting her parents in Ohio, I happened to be visiting an old friend and her mother on my birthday. Nadine found out and gave a happy birthday card to my friend to give to me. It took awhile for me to realize that the Nadine who had signed the card was my friend from Montana and not the Nadine who was my friend’s mother, sitting right in front of me. It was a good joke, all around – even more than anyone expected. Nadine had known my friend and her parents, the Devolls, for a very long time. My friend sent this remembrance of Nadine’s kindness to animals: Nadine lived with the Devolls when she was dating Jim – and her parents lived way out in the country (about a mile from where my parents’ house is … so it really isn’t now, but it was pretty far out of town then). One night, as she and Jim were coming back from a date, Nadine saw her cat had been run over. A true animal lover, she was almost hysterical and Jim, being who he is and very much in love, helped calm her and bury the cat. After all is done and Nadine is somewhat quieted, they walk into the house … and there sits her cat. They buried the wrong cat! Who knows who that one belonged to, but it was loved at the end, the way Nadine loved everything.
Audrey (Rohal) Murphey says
My dear…sweet niece/Nadine….I’ll miss wishing you a Happy Birthday every April 1st…knowing I would get a sweet note back…this year I got a treasure…a picture of you & Etta. You made my only trip to Hawaii…with your Mom & Grandmother…so memorable because you showed it to us as only a “native” would see it…visiting the different islands…staying in an all glass house just steps from the beach & ocean…which was your Uncles “farm” (labeled such as he had one chicken), introducing me to “dry” cereals kept in the refrigerator (I soon found out that Hawaii had MUCH bigger bugs than Florida…)You were always so much fun…and “genuine”!! Our loss, is Heaven’s gain…
Jenni Carr-Hagen says
Oh, sweet Nadine. I am so sorry to hear of her passing! Nadine and I worked together at Legislative Services and she was always a joy to work with. Later, when I was serving at the Green Meadow Country Club, Nadine came in with her family for supper. We had an opportunity to catch up and laugh and she was such an amazing light! I am so grateful for the opportunity to know her, and my thoughts go out to her family whom it was obvious she adored more than life!