Natalie Samper Keeler

April 22, 1931 - February 17, 2023

Natalie Samper Keeler of Carmel, California, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, on February 17, 2023, after a long illness. She was 91.

Born in Bogotá, Colombia, April 22, 1931, she was the second of three daughters of Jaime Samper Ortega (of Bogotá) and Doris Baldwin (of San Francisco). She grew up in Bogotá in the midst of a large extended family that included over 50 first cousins. At a young age, she enjoyed writing and performing in the plays she wrote and staged. She learned classical Russian ballet technique in Bogotá and taught children’s ballet classes in the family home.

She attended the first English language school in Bogotá, El Colegio Nueva Granada, which was founded by her mother for the children of diplomats and WWII refugees; Anna Head School for Girls, Berkeley; Smith College, Northampton and Mills College, Oakland focusing her studies in French and Dance. As a young woman, she used her tri-lingual skills working at the Department of State in Bogotá in an administrative capacity.

With an eye toward becoming a professional ballet dancer, Natalie attended San Francisco Ballet School in the early 1950’s, then under the tutelage of the original founders of the ballet, brothers Harold, Lew and William Christiansen.

On January 28, 1956, in Berkeley, California, Natalie married Harry Keeler, a mechanical engineer and U.S. Navy combat veteran in the South Pacific during WW II. The newlyweds settled in Manhattan where Harry, a recent graduate of California Polytechnic State University, was offered his first engineering job. Shortly thereafter, the young couple moved to Natalie’s birthplace, Bogotá, where Harry worked for General Electric and three of their children were born. A fourth child arrived after they moved to Berkeley in 1963. Then, in 1969 the family settled in Carmel, California.

In Carmel, Natalie taught ballet and exercise to children and adults at the Ballet Studio of Lilli Selvig in Sunset Center. Charmed by the wildlife near the studio, she was inspired to write a children’s story about a mouse who dreamed of learning ballet. Natalie’s six grandchildren adored her. As their beloved Nana, Natalie enjoyed caring for them, nurturing them, and sharing wisdom gained from her life stories, lessons and experiences.

Natalie volunteered for Meals-on-Wheels, caring for elderly people in her community. For many years she acted as the volunteer coordinator at the Yellow Brick Road. She was a member of Carmel Mission Parish, Casa Abrego Ladies Luncheon Club, and supported the Monterey Symphony and Carmel Bach Festival. Natalie had a keen mind and a great love for books, especially British murder mysteries and theology.

Her greatest source of pleasure came from spending time with close friends and cherished extended family. Over the years she and Harry welcomed numerous guests from near and far, from Colombia and the U.S., to the family’s home in beautiful Carmel Point.

Natalie Samper Keeler is survived by her sister, Sylvia Samper Currea of Davis, California, her children, Marian Keeler (Peter Coyle) of San Francisco, Christopher Keeler (Patrice Biaggi) of Merced, California, Catherine Presher (Darren Presher) of San Francisco, Anthony Keeler (Mona Wiley) of Lafayette, California; six grandchildren, Ryan Keeler (Kelsey), Margaret Moreno (Mathew), Kathleen Shaw (Ryan), Joseph Finberg, Ella Presher, Andy Presher, two great-grandchildren, and numerous cousins, nephews and nieces in Colombia and the United States.

She was predeceased by her beloved husband Harry Keeler (2008) and cherished sister Doris Samper Balfour (2018).

A funeral mass will be held at the Carmel Mission. Please contact the family for details. A private interment service at Cypress Lawn Cemetery, Colma, will take place at a later date.

Natalie was known for her loving presence, generous spirit and elegant demeanor. She offered counsel and conscience in a gentle way throughout our lives. Blessed with both inner and outer beauty, her smile and warmth defined her. We miss her grace and her adoring love for her family.

The family is most grateful to her kind and loving caregivers who looked after Natalie during her illness, as well as to her attentive and caring neighbors at the Arroyo Carmel.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Natalie’s name may be made to Catholic Charities of the U.S. or Doctors Without Borders.