Natalie Virginia Whittlesey
November 26, 1924- February 25, 2018
Natalie Whittlesey ,age 93, passed away on February 25th, 2018 at home in Mill Valley, CA with her sons and grandsons at her side.
Natalie Virginia Holman born 1924 in Oregon City, Oregon, first child to Morris and Edda Holman, heirs of the Oregon Trail settlers. Natalie grew up with her brother Jack and sister Joan. She attended St Helens Hall in Portland. She received a BA in English literature from the University of Washington. She was member of the Alpha Phi sorority. In 1945, Natalie became an apprentice seaman in the WAVs, but two weeks later the war was over. After graduating, she lived on a house boat with girlfriends on Lake Washington and worked as an editor of boating magazines. In 1948, she met Arthur Robbins Whittlesey, who moored his sailboat on the same dock. They were married in 1950 and lived in Grays Harbor,WA. Together they explored the Pacific Northwest.
In 1952, they relocated to Vancouver British Columbia. In 1953 they had a son, Peter. In 1955, they moved to Mill Valley, California. In 1956, they had a second son, James. They spent summers on the water at Wauna, WA. The family thrived.
Natalie was an avid reader. She especially enjoyed mystery novels and absorbed 3 daily papers and various monthlies always completing the crosswords. In the early 60’s, she became an artist. She had a lifelong painting collaboration with her mentor Howgate Davenport. She explored the worlds of form and light through many phases of expression and exhibited in shows and galleries around California. She worked with Ann O’Hanlon Sight and Insight Center beginning in 1969 and allied with the Marin Society of Artists and the Arts Guild of Sonoma. Natalie brought color and depth to her food, home, wide friendships, hospitality and blooming gardens. Without sharp edges, she made the world beautiful to live in. Natalie and Rob, who passed away in 2007, embraced and welcomed the world around them.
She maintained her quiet independent way and made her own choices. She imbued family life with history and literature. She was a great mother of heart and soul, who did not ask and was always there for family and friends. She was sophisticated yet selfeffacing with keen wit. She was a wise counsel who cut though the chaff. She met the world with humor, irony and empathy. Natalie was quite social interweaving a network of friends and she hosted a AAUW book group and drama reading and played bridge. She defined resiliency, staying open to the magic of the moment. In most recent days, she encouraged us to take care of ourselves, each other and the world.
She leaves us the great unseen heirlooms of inspiration of vision, fairness, equality, honesty, decency, sharing and joy in daily life. The glance long remembered, the echoing chord of her laugh.
Embrace of all things, attachment to none.
She is survived by her brother Jack, sister- in-law Margret, sons, James and Peter, grandsons Alexander, Nicholas and Norman (Emily) and great grandchildren Emilio and Sofia . A gathering to celebrate Natalie will take place on Friday April 6 at the Mill Valley Outdoor Art Club commencing at 4PM