BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – AT just 33 years of age, Nadia Natta-Francis departed this life leaving a gap that will probably never be filled but the memories which she made and shared and the impact she has had on the lives of those with whom she came in contact would live on.
Nadia died while in the Intensive Care Unit at the Joseph N. France General Hospital on December 31, 2016 and her sister Nadine Natta – with whom she was very close – recalls receiving the news that changed her life.
“She was admitted to the hospital the Friday night in A&E complaining for breathing problems. Things took a turn for the worse and they told us they would have to take her to the ICU to stabilize her. And Saturday she was in ICU up until 5:20p.m. when she passed. I went to a wedding the Saturday morning and I visited her about 2”00 p.m. but then I left and I came home.
“My cousins were there with her after I left and they were with her until. They were the ones who called us and told us and told us we had to come to the hospital now. When we got there, she had already gone. Everybody broke down because we just couldn’t face the fact that she really died.”
Nadia, the educator
Nadine advises that for more than 10 years, Nadia had been a teacher and up until her death, she taught the Second Grade at the Irishtown Primary School. She recalls that her sister had a passion and love for children which was quite evident.
Nadine expressed to SKNVibes that if she could select one attribute by which she would remember her sister, it would be her love for and devotion to children.
“She really loved children, anybody’s child. Even my cousin’s children, she just had a way with them. They adored her. She knew how to deal with them, she knew how to organize little things or them and just be around them. Being around them were some of the most treasured experiences for her and the children.”
SKNVibes understands that news Nadia’s death was traumatic for the students of her class, school and teachers of the learning institution, as it was for the many who had come to know her.
The infectious smile
Nadine remembers her sister as one who was always willing and able to share a smile with anyone.
“She was very bubbly, always smiling, always laughing, joyful, wherever you see her, she was going fast. She used to walk fast and was always smiling. She used to call out to everybody. Whether she knew you or not, she called out ‘Good Morning’ and she went on her way. ‘Good Afternoon’ and she was on her way. She always greeted people with a smile.”
Nadine and Nadia were the only two daughters of their parents’ children and were both born in the month of October. Nadine said the bond they shared was an impenetrable one and she misses her sister dearly, as do the other members of the family.
According to a press release issued by the Ministry of Education, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education William Hodge said Nadia was known for her vibrancy.
“It is for all members of the teaching fraternity in St. Kitts and Nevis a time of great sadness. The passing of a young teacher who is well known for her vibrancy, participation in the affairs of her school and, community and country will definitely leave a huge void in the lives of those who knew her…”
The funeral service for Nadia Natta-Francis was held on Wednesday, January 11, 2017 at the Wesleyan Holiness Church, Basseterre, and she was interred at the Springfield Cemetery.
