1972 – 2019
Natalie Smith of Wyoming, PA was known for her art and writing projects, exceptional research skills and gifts for organization and humor.
Formerly of Palo Alto, California, she passed away at her home in Luzerne County, PA after a 2 ½ year battle with rhabdomyosarcoma, an extremely rare cancer. She was born 8 February, 1972 in Santa Clara, CA to Jim and Judy (Terry) Smith, then of Palo Alto. She is survived by her parents, now of Arlington, VA, her sister Allegra V. Goodman and nephew Graham Goodman of Smyrna, GA, by brother Jamie Smith (Jenni Casey Smith) and nieces Ava and Charlotte Smith of Wyoming, PA, and by a large extended family in Luzerne and Sullivan Counties, PA and beyond.
Natalie graduated from Palo Alto High School 1n 1990. She 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 4 or 5 years in San Francisco and worked for BAR Architects before relocating to the family home in northeastern PA, 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: Chinese and Japanese brush painting, origami, water colors and collages. She designed and executed quilts, captivating special occasion Trivia games, and a Bat board game with nephew Graham Goodman. She raised geese, sheep, cats (especially long time pets Motor, Khafra and George) and Ike, a giant Flemish rabbit. She enjoyed writing letters to many friends, especially after health issues curtailed her usual activities, and 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, Office of Development, 885 Second Avenue, 7th floor, NY, NY 10017 or https://giving.mskcc.org/visible-ink
or to The Lands at Hillside Farms Grief Camp for Children, http://www.thelandsathillsidefarms.org/childrens-grief-camp/