Natalie Smart Larrabee entered the world on July 6, 1928 and left it peacefully on February 25, 2012.
A lifelong Kansas City native, Natalie graduated from Sunset Hill School. She attended Bennett College and received her degree in education from Northwestern University. She was a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority, the BOTARs and the Junior League of Kansas City, among many organizations.
After graduation, Natalie returned to Kansas City and Sunset Hill, where she taught preschool for many years. Later, she led several Mothers Day Out programs for various organizations, enjoying the opportunity to touch young lives.
She married the love of her life, Rogers A. Larrabee in 1952 and raised three children of whom she was very proud.
Natalie loved to travel and was forever open to new opportunities. She was especially proud of her Scottish heritage and membership in the Brodie Clan. On several occasions she visited the ancient Brodie Castle near Inverness, where she was formally recognized as a clan member in a ceremony led by the Chief of the Clan Brodie. The more memorable trips included hosting her children and grandchildren on the beaches of Mexico on several occasions.
Natalie greatly appreciated art and antiques and could always be found hunting for treasures and attending gallery events. She served as a docent for many years at the Nelson Atkins Museum.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert M. and Catherine Smart, her stepmother, Jean Hall Smart, her beloved husband Rod, and sister and brother-in-law Frank and Sue Terry. She is survived by her daughter Lindsay Greimann and her husband Garth, son Mark Larrabee and his wife Aimee, and son David Larrabee and his wife Cathy. She leaves 8 grandchildren (Mallory (husband Jamie), Hannah, Reid, Kate, Tim, Dani, Megan and Jeffrey) and her four Terry nephews and their families, who she dearly loved. She had many friends who appreciated her loyalty.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Kansas City Hospice House. A memorial service will be held at 5:00 pm on March 8, preceded by a visitation at 4:15, at DW Newcomer's Chapel at 11200 Metcalf, Overland Park, Kansas.
Fond memories and condolences
for the family may be left at
www.johnsoncountychapel.com
(Arrangements by D.W. Newcomer's Sons
Johnson County Chapel,
11200 Metcalf Ave, Overland Park, KS 66210. (913)451-1860)
www.dwnewcomers.com