Natalie Yvonne (nee Thibodeau) Williams, 76, passed away peacefully in her sleep at her home in Sebastian, Fla., on Feb. 24, 2016.
She is survived by her daughters Veronica Johnson, Virginia Lykins, Karen Trent, Margaret Pritchard and Nicole Peters; and her sons Thomas Simmons, Richard Simmons and Charles Simmons; and her husband, Alan.
She also leaves behind her sisters Betty St. Peter, Anita Johnson and Jean Nelson. She also leaves 27 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
She was the wife to the late Thomas Simmons, who passed away in 2012. Additionally, she leaves behind her extended family in East Long Meadow, Mass., and a large circle of friends in Fayetteville, N.C., Las Vegas, and Sebastian, Fla.
Natalie grew up in East Longmeadow, Mass., and attended school at Saint Anne’s Academy in Marlboro and college at Saint Petersburg College in Florida. She has resided in Fayetteville, N.C., Lake Wales, Fla., Cherry Hill, N.J., Las Vegas, and most recently Sebastian, Fla.
Natalie was involved in many business ventures including The Shanty, a hot dog stand in Saint Pete Beach Florida and Market Street Produce in Wilmington, N.C.
But she was most proud of her travel agency, Island Cruises, in Satellite Beach, Fla. Her agency was the highest seller of Carnival Cruises several years in a row. She originated the “Cruise Night” concept, a presentation process as a means of introducing new products to customers that has copied by numerous travel agencies.
Coming from a military family she was always a strong supporter of the Wounded Warrior Project and participated in many of their events and contributed generously to their cause. She worked to help each service member that she came in contact with know that their service and their sacrifice was appreciated.
The family will gather and greet friends at Wednesday March 2, 2016, between 5 – 7 p.m. at the Strunk Funeral Home, 1623 N Central Ave, Sebastian, Florida 32958. A Funeral Mass will be held Thursday, March 3, 2016, at 10 a.m. at Saint Sebastian Catholic Church, 13075 US Highway 1, Sebastian, Florida 32958. There will be a reception following the Mass in Fellowship Hall.
There will be an Interment Service on Thursday, March 3, 2016, at 3 p.m. at Our Lady Queen of Peace Cemetery, 10941 Southern Blvd, Royal Palm Beach, Florida 33411. Memorial donations can be made in Natalie’s memory to Wounded Warrior Project P.O. Box 758517 Topeka, Kansas 66675 or online at www.support.woundedwarriorproject.org.
A guest book is available at www.strunkfuneralhome.com