NINA DAWN COLE
1954 – 2015

On December 29, 2015, Dr. Nina Cole died peacefully in Niagara-on-the-Lake after a long battle with cancer.

Nina was the personification of service above self, and truly a champion volunteer. Whether in Rotary or outside, from the Junior Chamber of Commerce to the Laura Secord walk, she was immersed and engaged in voluntary activities, contributing to the communities where she lived, while pursuing a successful career in human resource management.

Nina was a member of The Rotary Club of Toronto from 2001-2008 and then, on retiring from Ryerson University, she transferred to the Niagara-on-the-Lake Rotary Club where she became President in 2014-2015, her last full Rotary year. Her achievements included RC NOTL taking the leadership of the Canada Day celebration which is a major community event for the town more than a fund-raiser. In addition to her service with Rotary, Nina was active in a number of groups in the community such as the Laura Secord walk commemorated for the centennial of the 1812 war, the University Women’s group, inter alia.

Prior to her retirement, she was Chair of District 7070 Gift of Life program during 2004-2007. The Gift of Life provides children with heart disease from developing countries access to medical treatment. Nina spent countless time and energy speaking to clubs in the District; arranging the surgical treatment; and personally hosting children and their families. On one occasion, her condo seemed like a commune when she had two mothers and their children staying with her.

In the Rotary Club of Toronto, Nina was active with the International Service Committee and Gift of Life. Nina received the Club Builder Award and was the lead organizer of one of the club’s most successful events featuring Stephen Lewis.

Nina’s other passions were international projects where she took part in numerous sweat equity trips to Tanzania and Cambodia. During 2007-2008, she spent a prolonged academic sabbatical conducting research projects in Australia, Southeast Asia and China.

Professionally, Nina had twenty-nine years of experience in human resources management as a practitioner, consultant, researcher, and professor. She earned a B.Sc. (Hons.), an MBA and a Ph.D., and taught at Brock University, York University, and the University of Toronto. She capped her career as Chair of the Department of Human Resources Management and Organizational Behaviour at Ryerson University and retired in 2012.

Nina was known by many friends near and far for her kindness and generosity. She personally supported the education of a young man named Da, a land mine survivor in Cambodia, and Maria Christina, a young girl in the Philippines. Nina’s generosity continues to be felt today by many who benefitted from knowing her.