Natalie Eleanor Smith
February 8, 1972 - 2019
Wyoming, Pennsylvania
Natalie Eleanor Smith of Wyoming, PA. was known for her art and writing projects, exceptional research skills and gifts for organization and humor.
A 1990 graduate of Palo Alto High School, she passed away at her home in Luzerne County, after a 3½-year battle with rhabdomyosarcoma, an extremely rare cancer. She was born Feb. 8, 1972, in Santa Clara, Calif., to Jim and Judy (Terry) Smith, then of Palo Alto. She is survived by her parents of Arlington, Va.; a sister Allegra V. Goodman; and nephew, Graham Goodman, Smyrna, Ga.; brother, Jamie Smith (Jenni) and nieces, Ava and Charlotte Smith, Wyoming and a large extended family in Luzerne and Sullivan counties and beyond.
Natalie received a Bachelor of Arts cum laude in history of art from New York University in 1996 and a master's degree in history of art from University College London in 1997. As an undergraduate, she interned at Sotheby's Auction House; following graduate school, she worked at Phillips Art Auctioneers, both in New York City. She lived for four or five years in San Francisco and worked for BAR Architects before relocating to the family home in Northeastern Pennsylvania where she and her siblings spent many childhood summers visiting their grandmother, Martha (Shoemaker) Terry.
A highly imaginative, creative artist, Natalie worked in many media including Chinese and Japanese brush painting, origami, water colors and collages. She designed and executed quilts, captivating special occasion trivia games, a Bat board game with her nephew, Graham Goodman.
She raised geese, sheep, cats and a giant Flemish rabbit names Ike. She enjoyed writing letters to her many friends, especially after health issues curtailed her usual activities. She participated in Visible Ink, the one-on-one writing program for Memorial Sloan Kettering patients. Her essay was included in the MSK Anthology in March 2019.
Natalie Smith is loved and cherished by friends and relatives from the east coast to California to Australia for her bright spirit and gifts for making everything more fun and efficient.
Gifts may be made in her name to Visible Ink, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, P.O. Box 21741-9901, Hagerstown, MD 21741-9901; or to The Lands at Hillside Farms Grief Camp for Children, http://www.thelandsathillsidefarms.org/childrens-grief-camp/or mail to 65 Hillside Road, Shavertown, PA 18708; please designate "grief".
A graveside service was held at the convenience of the family in Mountain View Burial Park, Falls.
Arrangements are by Metcalfe Shaver Kopcza Funeral Home Inc., 504 Wyoming Ave., Wyoming, PA
For information or to send condolences, please visit us at www.metcalfeshaver.com.
Published in Citizens' Voice on July 15, 2019
Memorial services are being arranged in Palo Alto. Information will be updated as it becomes available.