A Cherished Willow Tree

Sometimes we have the very photo someone wants, a photo that is priceless because of how it resonates with a hear. Dale reached out and asked about this photo. It was among his wife’s favorite spots along Lake Erie at Edgewater Park in Cleveland. She died of a brain aneurysm; her ashes were spread in Lake Erie. Here’s how Dale summarizes her life, impact, love of family and more. We gave him a courtesy copy.

“My name is Dale R. Haberkorn. I live and grew up in North Royalton, Ohio. I married my high school friend, Nadine. With her father’s help, we built our home in North Royalton in 1972. This has been our family’s home for 50 years.

In the 1970s and 1980s, Nadine stayed at home and raised our three kids, and eventually started working at North Royalton Schools in the office. She went back to college to finish getting her teaching license when tragedy struck. A brain aneurysm almost took her life. After two years of recovery she beat the odds and vowed to live her life to the fullest. She most certainly did. Nadine finished her degree and got a job teaching in North Royalton Schools where she was loved by students, parents and staff alike. Her positive, fun loving style of teaching was infectious.

Nadine had a love for the Cleveland Metroparks and nature. She often rode bikes and walked in the parks. Sadly, only two years after retirement, another aneurysm took her life. She left us strict instructions that her ashes be placed in Lake Erie. She loved the famous willow tree at Edgewater Beach. We followed her wishes. Her kids (and the dog) took her ashes by kayak to be put in Lake Erie straight out from the willow tree that she loved. Her initials are carved in a break wall stone facing the lake right by that beautiful tree. Nadine had hundreds of friends and is remembered as being silly, fun loving, outgoing, welcoming, adventurous and tough when needed to be.

Two years after her passing, I was surfing the Internet and came across a beautiful picture of that famous willow tree. I sent a message to the photographer, Michael Murray, asking if I could buy the photo for our family home. Michael personally brought me  a framed print, free of charge, after hearing the story of Nadine. I will never forget that act of kindness. Please support michaelmurrayphotography.com and see some of his special photos. I am forever grateful for his act of kindness and another Lake Erie sunset photo he gave me.”