Natalie Harlow Maynard

"Spurred at heart with fiery energy." These words are printed under Natalie Harlow's photo in her 1957 college yearbook. Six decades later, they still evoke her spirit. Throughout her long life, whether teaching classes or raising children or playing tennis or cribbage or preaching in church, she brought energy and passion and love to all she did.

Natalie was born in Somerville, MA, in December 1935 (with her twin Robert) to Irene and Frank Harlow, joining siblings Carryl and Jonathan. As a child in Orange, CT, she spent time roaming outdoors and caring for their 4H animals, as well as learning needlecraft with her mother. She attended Hillhouse High School in New Haven before getting a bachelor's degree in physical education at Bouvé-Boston College and becoming a PE teacher at West Boylston High School.

Living in Somerville with her aunt and uncle while taking classes and working as a waitress, she made time to attend the local Baptist church, where she sang in the choir with her new friend Patti Maynard. At a party, she met Patti's brother, Herb, just home from the Navy and soon to become the love of her life. She fondly remembered seeing him for the first time and thinking how handsome he was. They were married in August 1957, right after she graduated.

After her first year of college she started working at Camp Accomac, a summer camp for girls in Hillside, ME. She loved all the activities, especially swimming in Peabody Pond, and felt at home at camp. She served as a counselor, waterfront director, and program director over the years. Even after having children, Natalie and Herb continued to work at camp in the summer.

In the early 1960s they bought a house in Princeton, and Natalie stayed home with their four daughters while Herb taught music in West Boylston. She continued to be engaged in physical education and led a swimming instruction program for the town every summer, as well as an after-school dance program.

Natalie used her leadership skills as the aquatics director at the Jewish Community Center and the safety services director at the Red Cross, both in Worcester. She volunteered in every capacity at the First Congregational Church in Princeton, and her mid 50s felt called to become a minister. She received a master's in divinity at Andover Newton Theological School and was ordained in June 1996. She was a settled minister at the Petersham Congregational Church and interim minister at Rollstone Congregational Church (Fitchburg), First Congregational Church (Worcester), and Orange Congregational Church.

Natalie liked to keep her hands occupied and was skilled at needlework; she sewed clothes, knit sweaters, and embroidered pictures. She could pick up any craft almost faster than it could be taught. She liked to read books and play games-her childlike enthusiasm was joyful and infectious-and she could focus on a jigsaw puzzle for hours.

Throughout her adult life Natalie experienced the severe challenges of depression and anxiety, but she faced them with courage and strove to counteract them with positive affirmations, meditation, physical activity, and medication. Her long partnership with Herb was a great support and stabilizer. They were lucky to have the first of six grandchildren while relatively young, and eventually she was blessed by three great-grandchildren. She loved all of them deeply and cherished every lively family gathering.

Natalie was preceded in death by her beloved husband Herb and by her siblings Robert and Carryl. She is survived by her brother Jonathan Harlow, her daughters Lisa Maynard, Linda Davis, Beth Mellor, and Susan Maynard and their spouses, six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, and her dear sister-in-law Patti Maynard Crooks.

Our family is thankful to everyone who offered loving support to Natalie, especially in the years since Herb's passing in 2005. We appreciate the warm and generous friendship and care she received in Rutland, at Eisenberg Assisted Living, and most recently from JHC Hospice.

There will be a celebration of Natalie's life on Sat, Aug 3 at 10:30 am at the First Congregational Church in Princeton.