NATALIE EDWARDS

NATALIE EDWARDS Natalie died peacefully at home with her cat, Beau, asleep on her feet, surrounded by family and friends on March 1, 2013. Natalie Edwards (Harrington) was born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan on September 8, 1929. A 'depression baby', Natalie always ran her homes on a strict budget while still managing to drink good wine, travel and go to the theatre. She worked hard, lived with enthusiasm and loved her pleasures. Flirtatious, funny and beautiful, Natalie charmed everyone. But it was her self-deprecating humour and dry sardonic comments that would start friendships that lasted her a lifetime. She was a natural archivist and kept meticulous records. Her home was full of beautiful hand crafted photo albums and neat files of her writing. She was curious and energetic, always trying something new whether it was volunteering at the library, water colour painting or professional story telling. She married the wild eyed Murray Edwards in New York City in 1950 and they had a happy and productive marriage for 25 years until Betty Friedan's writings about the 'feminine mystique' inspired Natalie to live a whole new life. She created herself as a freelance writer and agent, working within the artistic community as a film and theatre reviewer for magazines (Cinema Canada, Movie TV Marketing) and on CBC radio, and as a director of Canadian Filmmakers Distribution Centre in Toronto and Vancouver. She loved both town and country and was famous for her Boxing Day and Mayfair parties at her home on Dunbar and later in the Cabbagetown apartment. She spent every summer in the Kawarthas alone in her rustic cottage visited by her many women friends and growing family. After a difficult surgery in 2007 Natalie was diagnosed with Parkinson's. She was brave and funny until the very end, a model of good temper. She loved and was loved by her caregivers, a team of angels lead by Remia Celis: Maria Nonifara, Angel de Pedro Fernandez, May Orbita and Aileen Salvador. Predeceased by her first husband Murray she leaves behind her brother James B. Harrington (Kathleen), her beloved Lloyd Erlick, five children Emrys Cole (Carmen Subibi), Elizabeth Marie (Eric Leroux), Laura Kathleen "Kate" Edwards, Margaret Dallas (Joe Behar) and Carson Frank (Nicole); grandchildren Jodi Brown (Matt Peacock), Caitlin Edwards, (Kevin Sleigh), Nathalie (Brian Davis), Simon (Sumathy Woods), Rose, Frank, Maude, James, Winston, Murray and Elizabeth; great-grandchildren Shai, Jaden, Nava, Callum, Jasper and Phineas; as well as countless friends and kindred spirits. For more information and condolences, please visit www.etouch.ca A celebration of her life will take place at 336 Sackville St. in Toronto starting at 5 p.m. on March 15, 2013. All who wish to share their memories of her are welcome to attend. For those who wish to make a donation in Natalie Edwards's name we suggest the Temmy Latner Centre for Palliative Care at www.tlcpc.org (416-586-8203). The whole team made Natalie's beautiful home death possible: a heartfelt thank you from our family to Nash, Joan and Dr. Marnie Howe.