was born in Sudbury, Ontario Canada on October 15, 1942 to Ivar Carl Nordine-deceased 92 and Anna-Greta Elofson-deceased 72. She had two sisters Lenore-deceased (Dennis Sanchionni) and Norine-deceased (Guy Lapointe) they have one son Darren (Christina).
Dee was the middle child. She was very close with both of her sisters and shattered by their untimely deaths in mid 90’s
Ivar was a nickel miner in Sudbury. Both of her parents came over on a ship from Sweden to Kipling (Canada). Ivar built the family a house on Howie Drive in Sudbury, there was a huge lake just down behind it. Many summer family vacations were spent fishing and going to the camp. Dee spent a year in Sweden at the age of 15 and went to high school with her cousins, quickly having to learn Swedish! Her first job was a telephone company operator switchboard with party lines. She came to the US early 60’s with her girlfriend Connie, for adventure. She became citizen Aug 1970. She met Tony at his ice cream shop in the mid '60's. Tony had custody of all four of his sons: Joseph-deceased, Anthony (Moira), Ronald-deceased and Michael (Shu). Dee and Tony were married 4/30/67 and she welcomed Tony’s sons ranging in age from 3 – 17. Dee’s Mom and Sister Lenore visited and fell in love with the boys, especially Michael only about 3 at the time.
At age 28 Dee gave birth to Natalie Ann born June 1970, the entire hospital knew they wanted a girl, so the nurse presented her to Tony swaddled in a blue blanket! He said a boy! And the nurse told him “you better check the plumbing”!! She was the sunshine in their day. Dee’s mom and dad and sisters had a visit to Arizona and Dee flew with Natalie to Canada in 1971 to meet her mother. Her mom died shortly after in 72. Ivar continued spending winters in Arizona through 1991. Dee was a Technician at Motorola. She started at the McDowell Plant in the mid 60’s and shortly thereafter moved to the Dobson plant in Mesa where she had an early retirement in late 80’s.
Blessings: 12 Grandchildren:
Joe: Tracy Lengwin & Ryan Trifari, Tracey McCluskey
Tony: Donnovan Trifari & Heather Nelson,
Ronald: Ronald Trifari Jr, Rocco Trifari & Rene Bell
Michael: Tyler & Natalie Trifari
Natalie: blessed to have Justin 7 & Megan 2 come into the family when Natalie married their dad, Eric Aisoff in (2002)
19 Great Grandchildren: (Tracy & Bob Lengwin) Carson, Maci & Jaxon. (Ryan & Michele Trifari) Lylah,
(Donnovan) Anthonee, Nathan & Aiden, (Heather & Tim Nelson) Charisma, Ravi, Mazzy, Corey & Angel,
(Ronny & Jen) Joseph & Vincent, (Rene & Kevin) Devin, Russell & Kinsley (due to join us before Christmas), (Tyler & Starlyn) Sageric and Miliana
Dee loved the lake and the ocean. There were alternate family vacations between Canada and New Jersey through the years. She also loved visiting all of Tony’s family…aunt’s uncles, brothers, sisters, nephews nieces and cousins! They’d go to the Jersey Shore or to the Balch Lake at the house in Maine.
Dee loved all of the big family gatherings especially holidays at Ronny & Jen’s and Dee rarely missed anyone’s birthday. Tony’s sudden death in 1992 shocked the family to the core. Dee was only 50 years old and she had just lost her father in January and her husband in April. Following Tony’s death Dee took some jobs trying to keep herself busy and thrive again. she worked at a Photo Mat and later at Wells Fargo. The family came together supporting one another but Natalie says that her mom cried every day for five years until she met Tom Keene. Meeting Tom brought Dee joy once again!
Tom’s children: Kevin, Tom and Leesa, Tom’s wonderful mother Berta and her late husband Richard. Tom’s sisters: Jeri (Vern) & Susan (Ronn) and all of their aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews and nieces would gather for family reunions in Colorado.
In 2002 Dee had a major heart attack, was air lifted and brought back to life after given four stents and a new lease on life. It was thereafter that Dee found Broadway Christian Church and her and Tom met Pastor John who baptized them in 2003.
They made the decision together accepting Jesus and becoming active members of the church 18 years many beautiful friends and memories serving together over the years at Sunday services, Oasis, bible study, volunteering at the Thanksgiving meal , however they could. Dee’s favorite was the Easter sunrise service and Natalie would join them every year.
Dee Worked for GC services (15 years) providing Apple customer support until she got sick in April 2020
She was able to take two cherished trips to Sweden the first in the early 90s with both of her sisters. And she was so excited to be able to return again just a few years ago! A gift from her Michael and his wife Shu for her 75th birthday!
Diagnosed with pancreatic cancer April 2020, Dee fought hard through major surgery and treatments. We were blessed with a little over a year of good days. The pancreas was controlled but another cancer showed up in her lung treated and controlled but then spread liver, bone. By the grace of God she didn’t have any pain until the last 2 months of her life and went to live with Natalie and Eric. All the while Tom was fighting lung cancer too. Dee would visit daily at his care center bringing Diet Dr Pepper and Recess Peanut Butter Cups.
I think she willed herself to make it to Tom’s memorial. Her smile was radiant that day but the pain spread throughout her body. She told me the memorial brought peace and comfort to her soul and thanks Susan and Ronn Jeri & Vern and Berta for the beautiful celebration of Tom’s life. Anyone that’s sent cards, gifts and messages, she heard them through Tuesday (one day prior to her passing)
Hospice of the East Valley swooped in like Angels to assist with comfort care until Dee finally rested peacefully in Jesus’s arms on Wednesday, September 8, 2021
On her final day, Tony and Tracey were there. After they left, Come Home was playing and Natalie and Eric were by her side when she took her last breath.
A joyous reunion took place in heaven that night and I know she was smiling that big beautiful smile when she was greeted with open arms by all of her family and friends waiting for her.
A celebration of life will be 1:00 PM Thursday, September 23, 2021, at Green Acres Mortuary, 401 N. Hayden Road, Scottsdale, Arizona 85257, reception to follow at Eric and Natalie's home.
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