Natalie Shelburn

Waterford - Natalie (Thomas) Shelburn of Waterford, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, Nov. 4, 2013, surrounded by the love and comfort of her family.

Born in the family home in Mystic, on June 10, 1921, she was the middle child and daughter of the late Irving and Lila (Douglass) Thomas.

Natalie married Victor M. Shelburn on Jan. 24, 1942, and they raised their large family by the shoreline in Quaker Hill and Mago Point. They celebrated 57 years of marriage before Victor passed away on Oct. 6, 1999.

Natalie was predeceased by her eldest son, Thomas Irving Shelburn in 1957, and sister, Elaine Reynolds.

Natalie was very proud of her Mystic heritage and enjoyed telling her children about the "good old days" visiting the family farm in Noank. She was a 1938 graduate of Williams Memorial Institute, a graduate of the New London School of Business, and worked at Connecticut National Bank before joining her husband in Texas where he was stationed during World War II.

Natalie was a stay at home mother raising her 10 children in her loving, nurturing way. To Natalie, being a mother is the most important job one can have. When her children were older, she joined The Day Publishing Co., where she made many lasting friendships. Natalie retired from The Day in 1992.

Natalie will be remembered for her wonderful sense of humor and her gift of laughter, as well has her signature clam chowder, éclairs, brownies, and chocolate cake. When visitors popped in, she would often head to the kitchen and whip of a pan of brownies or other goodies. In their later years, Natalie and Victor enjoyed many years being Florida snow birds, playing golf, relaxing at the beach, and spending time with family. Natalie continued to teach her family life lessons in patience, caring for one another, and, above all, to look for the positive things in life, even as she struggled with Alzheimer's disease overtaking her world for the past 18 years.

Left to cherish her memory are five daughters and four sons, Jane (Alfred) Capozza, Janice Shelburn (Richard Occhionero), Diane (William) Martin, Carol (Stephen) Abate, Debbie Shelburn (Steven Boegler), Gary (Mary Ann) Shelburn, Douglass Mickey (Diana) Shelburn, Tyce (Julie) Shelburn, and Timothy (Nancy) Shelburn.

She was blessed with 25 grandchildren, Thomas, Paul, and Melissa Capozza, Christopher, Jonathan, and Meghan Leonard, Timothy and Michael Shelburn, Laura Nolda, Andrea Ibrahim, Tyce and Kevin Shelburn, Eric and Elaine Martin, Joshua, Jessica, Amanda, and Mickayla Shelburn, Danyle Abate, Jeffrey and Brian Shelburn, Elizabeth Wood and Julianne Bradley, and Lila and Sarah Fortin. She is also survived by 25 loving great-grandchildren, Zoe, Dallas, Carly, Anna, and Sophia Capozza, Jacob and Mia Hock, Sloan, Ireland, and Logan Leonard, Madelyn Peck, Tyler Ingemi, Chase and Jax Nolda, Kayla Smartz-Ibrahim, Joseph, Avianna, and Nikolas Ibrahim, Desmond Shelburn, Edward Martin, Joshua, Lucas, Jayden, and Cienna Shelburn, and Elsie Wood. Natalie also leaves a brother, Reverend David (Diane) Thomas and many special nieces and nephews. All will miss her very much, each with their own special memories of time spent with her.

Natalie's family would like to thank Beechwood for the seven years of care and kindness given to their mother, also to Hospice Care of Southeast Connecticut for their caring attention, guidance, and comfort shown to her family. The family also thanks Crescent Point of Niantic for their care during the two years she resided there.

A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday at Byles Memorial Home, 99 Huntington St., New London. Calling hours for friends and family will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday.

Donations in her memory may be directed to Alzheimer's Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., FL 17, Chicago, IL 60601, please write "for research" on check.

Please visit www.byles.com for directions, to sign the guest book, or share a memory.