Natalie Frederick

1926 - 2009

Natalie Rivera Frederick, beloved mother, sister, and grandmother, passed away Tuesday, December 29th at Lodi Memorial Hospital at the age of 83. Born in New York City on February 5, 1926, she grew up in Richmond, Virginia. She also lived in Oregon and Texas, but spent most of her life in California. She started work for Pacific Telephone in the 1950's as a Customer Service Specialist, then left to raise her daughter. She also worked as a paraprofessional teacher at Neil Armstrong elementary school in San Ramon. She returned to AT&T in the early 1970's to participate in the development and implementation of the 911 emergency phone system in the bay area, for which she received an "Exceptional Contribution to Business Services" award. She retired in 1989.
Natalie was a member of the Danville (CA) Women's Club and the Lodi Women's Club. She volunteered her time for several years, even before her retirement, with the Telephone Pioneers of America in Pleasanton. There she was honored with the Circle of Caring Award for her commitment. Natalie was recognized for her "major contribution to the development of the Museum of the San Ramon Valley." She also volunteered at Kaiser Permanente for more than 10 years in Health Education in Pleasanton, and then at Kaiser in Stockton for some years after she moved to Lodi.
Natalie loved music, art and dance. She enjoyed giving gifts to everyone and playing bingo with her friends. She loved to travel, especially to Hawaii where she vacationed many times. Other destinations included Peru, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Morocco, Monaco, France and England. She loved to visit the beach and Lake Tahoe.
She leaves behind a daughter, Kimberly Kinser, two grandchildren, Laura Grace and Mason, a sister and brother-in-law, Linda and Kevin King of Milton, DE, a sister, Nancy Hanks Smith of Escanaba, MI. Also cousin, Claudia Wilson Pratt and her husband Ray, of Richmond, VA. Natalie was preceded in death by a younger brother, Raymond Roy Hanks of Dollar Bay, MI.
Memorial services will be held at Saint John the Baptist Episcopal Church, 1055 S. Lower Sacramento Road in Lodi on Thursday, January 14 at 2:30 in the afternoon, with a Celebration of Life immediately following. Family and friends are asked to wear something festive and bring their favorite "Natalie" stories to share. There will be no visitation, and committal will be private, assisted by Lodi Funeral Home.
Volunteering time to a charitable organization of choice would be an honor to the memory of Natalie. Alternatively, contributions may be made to Americans for the Arts, by visiting their website at: http://www.artsusa.org/.
A virtual register book may be signed at www.lodifuneralhome.com where memories can be shared.