Nadine Fraulini, 1961-2022
When Nadine Fraulini passed away at age 60, her only sister lost her best friend, her two nephews lost their second mother and many dear friends lost someone they could always count on. Nadine was one of those rare, special people who was entirely selfless and generous to everyone around her.
Impact of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur
A 1979 graduate of Notre Dame High School for Girls in Chicago, Nadine’s spirituality took on a deeper, more personal meaning after a weekend religious retreat with classmates and teachers. She spent the rest of her life demonstrating her profound faith, and in 2013, she received the Education for Life award from the Sisters for living the Notre Dame de Namur mission. Through her estate plans, Nadine expressed her wishes to support the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur out of appreciation for the education she received. “She loved the Sisters and wanted to thank them for dedicating their lives to ministry,” says her sister, Arlene Bieszczat.
A lifetime of love and care for others
Born nine years after her only sibling, Nadine was a very energetic child. “She wore everyone out,” Arlene remembers. “My mother would say, ‘It’s your turn to chase Nadine.’”
On the go as an adult as well, Nadine kept friends and family by her side. She enjoyed theater, dining out, traveling and the Chicago Cubs. She sang in the church choir, played guitar and even took up the ukulele. When out of town, she enjoyed celebrating Mass at local churches. New Year’s Eve was a favorite holiday and many times she hosted a party in her home.
“She was always happy, smiling and laughing — she had a really loud laugh,” Arlene shares. “And she was always super healthy. She never spent a day in the hospital up until the cancer.”
A tax accountant by trade, Nadine was also known for her integrity and willingness to help someone without regard to compensation. Her generosity is legendary. “
When my son graduated from eighth grade, she took us to Orlando,” Arlene recalls. “She wouldn’t let me pay for anything, not even a hotdog.”
At the point when her mother could no longer live independently, Nadine shared her home until her mother passed at age 93. She never complained, says Arlene.
While she had no children, Nadine was a proud “dog mom” to Bunny, a beloved beagle mix that preceded her in death. “Bunny was her child,” Arlene shares. “Her home was filled with beagles — a lamp, mug, Christmas ornaments. I’ll never see a beagle without thinking of Nadine.”
Her impact on all who knew her is unforgettable. “Nadine was a beautiful, kind, loving person,” says Debbie Simon, a long-time friend, “and she always looked for the best in people. She was the best friend you could ever have.”