Natalie Honan

1913 - 2012

Natalie Stewart Honan died on Monday, Nov. 26, 2012 at Carlyle Place in Macon, Ga.
The daughter of the late Hampton Smith Stewart and Natalie Petry Stewart, she was born on Dec. 21, 1913, in Eufaula. She descended from prominent pioneer settlers. Her family settled in what later became Barbour County before Alabama was a state and in Eufaula when the town was still named Irwinton.
She graduated from Eufaula High School in 1931. Having contracted polio as a child, Natalie spent the next several years in New York City undergoing numerous corrective surgeries. She graduated from Atlanta Business College in Atlanta. In 1939, she married Mathew J. Honan of New York City, and they lived in New York for 15 years. Following the death of her beloved husband, she returned to Eufaula with their two small children.
Mrs. Honan worked for a number of years as manager of the Barbour County Nursing Home. In 1967, she was chosen by the Eufaula Business and Professional Women's Association as their first Woman of Achievement. A life-long member of First Presbyterian Church, she received a Life Membership from Presbyterian Women in 2001.
Also in that year, she received the first Life Membership awarded by the Lanier Club. She was a loyal member of the Lanier Club for 73 years. For many years she was the longest serving member of the club, as had been her mother, Natalie Petry Stewart, who was one of the literary club's founders in 1899.
She was a charter member of the Camerata Music Club, a privileged member of The Christ Child Circle and a founding member of The Eufaula Heritage Association. For many years, she graciously opened her family home at 127 Cherry St. for the annual Pilgrimage Tour of Homes. Her love of her hometown was reflected in her numerous civic endeavors.
An accomplished bridge player, Mrs. Honan enjoyed both regular and duplicate games with her many friends. Other hobbies included music, reading and travel. Over the course of her 99 years, she inspired countless people through her example -a life lived with faith, courage, laughter and a loving heart.
Survivors include son, Terry Honan (Anmarie), of Eufaula, daughter, Natalie Honan Vernon (Minor), of Macon, Ga.; four grandchildren, Mathew Honan (Harper), San Francisco, Stewart Vernon (Shannon), Macon, Ga., Natalie Claire O'Bryan (Edward), Charleston, S.C., and Hampton Vernon, Macon, Ga.; three great-grandchildren, Stewart Vernon, Jr., Sloan Cecile Vernon and Bird Harper Honan; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Rotary Club's polio eradication program through The Rotary Foundation, Rotary Club of Eufaula, and P.O. Box 520, Eufaula, AL 36072 or to the First Presbyterian Church, 201 N. Randolph Ave., Eufaula, AL, 36027.
Visitation will be at the Honan home at 127 Cherry St. on Friday, Nov. 30, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The funeral service will be held at First Presbyterian Church noon on Saturday, Dec. 1, with the Rev. Shawn Hevener officiating and Chapman Funeral Home directing.
Sign the online guestbook for Mrs. Honan at www.eufaulatribune.com.