Natalie Neville Ferris (80), daughter of Gregg and Natalie Neville of Manhattan, New York and Branford, CT, passed away on February 7, 2015 from ALS at the Knollwood Nursing Facility on the Briarwood CCRC campus in Worcester, MA. She leaves behind her husband of 59 years, Rodney, her four sons, Rodney Jr., Dakin, Timothy, and Bradley, plus eight grandchildren, thirteen cousins, four nieces and nephews, and their eighteen children.
Natalie was predeceased by her brother, Richard G. Neville, of Millbrook, NY, and her sister, Cynthia Page Pyle of Short Hills and Bay Head, NJ. Surviving nieces and nephews are Christopher Neville, Cynthia Pyle Furlanetto, Peter Neville, and Laura Pyle Brunton.
Natalie was raised in Manhattan, graduating from the Spence School for Girls and Briarcliff College. She married Rodney J. Ferris in 1956, and together they had four sons: Rodney J. Ferris, Jr. of Burtonsville, MD; Dakin N. Ferris of Oakland, CA, Timothy G. Ferris of Lincoln, MA, and Bradley P. Ferris of Florence, MA.
Grandchildren surviving are Brad & Stephanie Sanders Ferris’ child Ethan; Timothy & Cynthia Griffin Ferris’ children Natalie, Winslow and Margaret; Rodney & Virginia Leister Ferris’ children Noelle and Alexander; and Dakin & Kayono Saita Ferris’ children Mailani and Kaisei.
Natalie was a summer resident since 1938 of the Killams Point community and wildlife sanctuary in Branford, CT (Short Beach), where nature-watching, sailing, swimming, canoeing, and tennis were constant attractions.
Having moved to the Tatnuck area of Worcester in 1960, she lived in Holden for 47 years, first on Birchwood Drive and then at The Seasons off Salisbury St. The thrust of her life was being loving and caring to all. Working with Pastor Mike Scrogin, she was dedicated to the formation of First Baptist Church’s (Worcester) Open and Affirming policy towards the LGBT community.
In her youth, Natalie was an accomplished ice skater and tennis player. Later in life she became an avid bridge player, and enjoyed sailing and water activities. She also traveled extensively, both domestically and internationally.
In the mid-1970s, Natalie took over the ICE (Independent Community Experience) program at the Bancroft School in Worcester and then subsequently joined the administration there, running the bookstore and kitchen. Later, she was employed in the Development Office at the University of Massachusetts Medical School before retiring. She was a consummate hostess and decorator.
Much of Natalie’s life was dedicated to volunteer work. As a young mother, Natalie was very active with the PTA and Junior League. Later on, she served on the marketing committee of the board of the Salem Community Corporation, which ran the Briarwood Continuing Care Retirement Community. More recently, she was a founder and sustainer of First Friends Daycare, located at the First Baptist Church in Worcester.
Surviving cousins are Sumner and Sterling Bennett, Dexter McGill, Tare Newbury, Harriet Parker Hoffeinz, Sam Grant, Johanna Grant, Bevin Grant Baetjer, Natasha Grant Deane, Christopher Grant, Natalie Grant, David Grant, and Rob Gregg.
Calling hours at Nordgren Memorial Chapel will be held on Friday February 13 from 5-7pm; a memorial service will be held at First Baptist Church, 111 Park Ave., in Worcester on Saturday, February 14 at 11 am.
Memorial donations may be made to First Friends Daycare, 111 Park Ave, Worcester, MA 01609.