Natalie Lightfoot

LIGHTFOOT - Natalie, was born November 27, 1930 on Thanksgiving Day in Rockaway Beach, New York. Her parents, Austin and Ismay Coker, were delighted with their fifth of eight children. Natalie, affectionately known as Pee Wee because of her tiny stature, had seven siblings including her sisters Margaret, Yvonne, Marilyn, Amethyst, Aileen, Etienne and brother, Aclan. Natalie attended elementary and high school in Far Rockaway, NY. Natalie was fashion forward and designed and created her own clothes; her interests in fashion and beauty led her to Apex Beauty School where she earned a degree in cosmetology. She had early aspirations of becoming a nun but all that changed when she met, and fell in love with, a handsome young man by the name of Jerome Lightfoot. It was obvious that she had met her soul mate when she met Jerome. After high school Jerome served in the United States Air Force and was stationed in Okinawa. Although the separation was difficult, Jerome and Natalie exchanged daily letters of love, devotion and commitment. When Jerome returned to New York, they honored their commitment and married on August 23, 1953 at St. Rosa Lima Church. Newly married, they remained in Far Rockaway NY until 1956 when they moved to Lakeview, New York with the hopes of starting a family. Natalie's mother, Ismay, lived with the young couple while Natalie cared for her mother during a long illness. This was the type of person she was. Natalie and Jerome had two children, Lorna Lydia and Leatrice Laverne. Natalie was singlemindedly committed to her daughters' education. While Jerome worked at the Nassau County Police Department, Natalie was a full time mother who was always there to guide and support her daughters. She was proud that she and Jerome, in partnership, were able to provide Lorna and Leatrice with the finest education and opportunities. She was the best mother in the world. Natalie always wanted a son and much later, she and Jerome were delighted to embrace Christopher Ware into the family when he married their eldest daughter, Lorna. Natalie loved many things. She loved music, poetry, reading and dancing. She swam almost every day, ran track and rode her bicycle everywhere long before it was fashionable to 'go green.' She eschewed bigotry in every form and offered words and deeds of kindness to anyone in need. For many years, she suffered with rheumatoid arthritis. She was surrounded by her family, who held her hand, when she passed away on Friday October 17. She touched many lives and will be missed by all who knew her. She leaves to mourn her husband, Jerome; her daughters Lorna and Leatrice, son-in law Christopher; her siblings Aileen Joseph, Aclan Coker and Etienne Bowen; a host of nieces, nephews and cousins; and a wealth of friends. Viewing Tuesday october 21, 5-8pm at J. Foster Phillips Funeral Home, Inc., 179-24 Linden Boulevard, Jamaica, NY. Funeral Mass Wednesday October 22, 2008, 10am at St. Agnes Cathedral, Rockville Center, NY.