Nicole was born at the Angaston Hospital on the 14th of May 1982 to loving parents Matthew and Sue Schiller. Her childhood was rooted in the beautiful Barossa Valley, where she grew up in the small village of Light Pass. She was a proud 6th generation Barossan.
Her older sister Megan loved having a little sister to boss around and play with. Ryan was born in 1984, joining his sisters for an amazing childhood together. The trio were the best of friends and shared many incredible moments, running through vineyards and playing chasey on the Schiller property. In 1997, their family joyfully welcomed beautiful cousin Kelly into their midst. During the five years Kelly lived with the Schiller's, Nicole dedicated herself to assisting Sue and Matthew in looking after her. They formed a special bond, which remained strong even in Nicole’s final days. Then, in 1998, the whole family witnessed the birth of Kane, an experience that Nicole held close to her heart. She was a great big sister to Kane, and they shared many special experiences. The complete Schiller clan was lucky to grow up and live next door to their grandma, grandpa and aunty Dolly. This was always a source of biscuits and treats to hunt down when their mum only offered an apple for a snack. Nicole enjoyed swimming club, gymnastics, calisthenics and Girl Guides.
Nicole attended Redeemer Lutheran School from 1987 to 1994, where she built lifelong friendships. Nicole was a kind and warm child, well liked by her peers. One time she wanted to take her precious money box to school. Her Mum told her it was too special and delicate, and she was worried Nicole, being sometimes a little clumsy, would break it. However, Nicole being strong willed and determined, persisted in asking until her mum finally caved in. Nicole ventured off to school with the money box wrapped up in towels and tissue paper and the words “be careful” ringing in her ears. And she was so careful, all day long. The school bell sounded, signaling the end of the day. Phew, Nicole had made it! She was so proud and couldn’t wait to show her mum! As she was walking out to the carpark, poor Nicole dropped her money box, smashing it into tiny pieces. Poor Nicole cried all the way home.
In 1995 Nicole continued her education at Faith Lutheran College with a great group of friends. Knowing that she wanted to go to university, Nicole worked hard to get the grades she needed. She was also a Peer Support Leader and on the school swim team. During these high school years and beyond, Nicole and her family cheered on the Adelaide Crows at every opportunity. Nicole was thrilled to have seen the Adelaide Crows win both the 1997 and 1998 Grand Finals, live at the MCG, something she never forgot.
After graduating high school in 1999, she fulfilled her aspiration to attend university, starting her Bachelor of Early Childhood degree at UniSA. In 2002, she took a gap year and lived in Boston, working as a nanny. She then returned to finish her Bachelor of Early Childhood degree and began teaching in 2004. Nicole's passion for learning was truly remarkable. She had an unwavering commitment to early childhood education and inspired countless other teachers to follow in her footsteps. In between teaching, she studied for her graduate certificate in special education. She was very proud of receiving a high distinction on one of her assignments. Her dedication to social justice and inclusion meant that she always went above and beyond to support children with significant learning and social issues.
Nicole spent many years living and teaching in Darwin, however, when Megan became pregnant with her first child, Dexter, she moved back to the Barossa to be closer to family. Nicole and Megan spent a lot of time together, and Megan’s husband, Ryan, often commented that he married both Nicole and Megan.
Nicole was an incredible Aunty to Dexter and River. She would take them on adventures and spend weekends bonding with them. They went to theaters, Christmas Pageants, Festivals, beach visits and many more adventures. She was the most incredible Aunty and loved the boys like her own. They would sometimes call her mum by accident. They will miss Nicole so much.
Nicole was an autistic person who openly communicated her journey of learning about who she was with pride. She was passionate about advocating for disabled people and educated people on ableism in a caring way. This was evident throughout her career as she shared her talents at many schools, including Annersley College, Immanuel Primary School, Angaston Primary, Mt Compass Area School, St Andrews Lutheran, and Playford College. She also worked in the education department, training school support officers to work with young children. As a neurodivergent person, she had the ability to support kids in her class when other teachers would be baffled. She touched the lives of so many little ones around the world, leaving an indelible mark on their education and personal growth. Many families kept in touch with Nicole after she had taught their children because of the relationship and care she offered them. Her unique ability to "see" and understand little humans and her positive influence on them will continue to be felt for generations to come.
Nicole’s lifelong passion for travel was ignited by childhood camping trips. The family explored many parts of Australia together, inspiring Nicole with a desire to discover and experience the world. She had the opportunity to visit many amazing places. She kayaked in Norway, Sky dived in Switzerland, sailed around the Greek islands, and traveled in Canada and America with her dear friend Gerry. She spent time with Megan and her Uncle Greg in Papua New Guinea and visited other places such as Bali, Italy, Germany, France, Sweden, Croatia, and Spain. Nicole loved immersing herself in different cultures and meeting new people on her travels. In her thirties, she took up cycling and combined this new activity with travel by cycling the Italian Alps for 11 days in 2016 and cycling 110 km in hot and windy conditions in Clare in 2018.
Nicole also really loved music. She enjoyed a broad range of genres and loved live concerts and festivals. Megan, Nicole and Ryan went to many concerts sharing unforgettable moments in mosh pits, often head banging and rocking out together. Friends gathered here, and those far away also shared this love of music with Nicole. From heavy metal music to Tori Amos, Nicole loved and embraced it all.
Nicole was a person with so much passion and zest for life. She had a great respect for the environment, sustainability and caring for all things great and small. She lived many years leading a Plant Based Lifestyle. Her vegan cakes and meals were truly incredible, and she had a natural talent for creating delicious dishes.
Nicole met Thomas on a dive trip six years ago. They have shared countless adventures above and below the water's surface. Nicole and Thomas had a deep love and connection which developed even stronger through their love of nature, camping, Scuba Diving, caving, and hiking. They created many memories together, including a 5-day, 73-kilometer hike on the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail. They also spent time caving in Tasmania, Diving with Sharks off Port Lincoln and camping at Deep Creek and Yorke and Eyre Peninsula. They tied their lives together in Nairne and embarked on the greatest adventure of all: raising their precious son Riley.
Nicole had always wanted to be a mother. Riley was born on 7 October 2021. Nicole was the most beautiful, caring, gentle and attentive mum. Riley really did make her life complete and full of joy. She cared for him, slept with him and fed him with love. She never complained about lack of sleep or the messy house that often comes as you adjust to a newborn, she just took that all and loved every minute of it. She simply loved being a mama to Riley more than anything. A special memory they made as a family was their first camping trip at Wirrina Cove. They had so much more to do together and so many more memories to make, but cancer cruelly cut their time together short.
In August 2022, 9 months after giving birth to Riley, Nicole was diagnosed with stage 3 cervical cancer. This came as a shock to her and her loved ones. Despite being up to date with her cervical screening, she had a strong intuition that something was not right and pushed for further investigation. Her diagnosis was devastating news, but true to her nature, Nicole tackled it with strong will and determination.
She openly shared her journey on social media to raise awareness and provide comfort for herself and those going through a similar situation. The support she received from loved ones and strangers was phenomenal, and it helped her through the difficult times. After completing her treatment, she enjoyed a wonderful Christmas with her family, but unfortunately, the cancer returned in February and had metastasised to multiple parts of her body.
Despite the devastating news, Nicole never gave up hope and continued to fight with all her strength. She was incredibly brave throughout the whole process, and her mind remained as strong as ever, even when her body became weaker. Her partner, Thomas, and her son, Riley, were her rock, and she treasured the time spent with them.
Nicole's journey eventually came to an end on May 5, 2022, surrounded by her loved ones at Laurel Hospice. Her passing was a painful loss for all who knew her, but she left behind a legacy of courage, bravery, and strength. Even in her darkest moments, Nicole found a way to shine a light on others and help them through their own struggles.
Nicole had a contagious laugh and a beautiful smile that could light up any room. She was always up for an adventure, especially spontaneous ones, and she loved the ocean. Her passion for teaching was evident, and she had a way of making everyone feel valued and appreciated.
Nicole's legacy is one of love, thoughtfulness, and a deep commitment to her family. She will always be remembered for her nurturing nature, her ability to understand and connect with young people, and her unwavering devotion to her son, Riley. Her efforts to leave a lasting impact on her family's life, including the creation of a book, voice memos, and birthday cards, are a testament to her thoughtfulness and desire to ensure her legacy lives on. More than anything, The impact she had on those who knew her will continue to be felt for many years to come.
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