Natalie Jane Baarsma
June 9, 1943 - October 2, 2012
Obituary
Natalie Jane Baarsma (1943-2012) civil rights worker and friend of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., published author, community activist, world traveler, loving mother, doting grandmother and admired colleague and friend to many; died peacefully in her sleep on October 2nd, 2012 at her home in SeaTac, Washington.
Natalie was born on June 9, 1943 in Lima, Ohio, the daughter of Floyd and Katharine Myers. She grew up in Cartagena, Columbia and Panama where her father worked for the Andian National Corporation, a subsidiary of Standard Oil. There she learned to speak Spanish fluently and gained a deep appreciation and respect for Latino culture. She returned to the United States, first to attend Ms. Harris’s School for Girls in Miami, Florida, and then to matriculate at Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio in 1961. In her junior year she made a transformative decision to drop out of school and follow the Freedom Riders south to join in the Freedom Summer voter registration drive of the Southern Christian Leadership Council. There she met and became friends with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Reverend Ralph Abernathy, Hosea Williams and Andy Young, among others. She suffered beatings, threats and imprisonment, but persevered in her unwavering and life-long commitment to social justice.
Her civil rights work was recognized by Skidmore College in January of 2009 when she was asked to participate on a panel discussion, along with Skidmore Faculty, of Dr. King’s legacy and the election of Barack Obama as the country’s first African-American President. During the panel discussion, Natalie explained that she was inspired to join the civil rights movement after attending a lecture about German citizen’s inaction during the Holocaust. She described her work on the front lines with Dr. King as “the most satisfying experience of my life.” (Read more about Natalie’s participation in a panel discussion at Skidmore College here.)
In her later years, Natalie moved from Inverness, Florida, where she had been caring for her parents, to Washington State where her children were attending college. She traveled widely to the Orient, South America and Europe. Most of her travels, however, took her to Chicago to visit her son Bill and his family, and upstate New York to visit her daughter Katya and her family.
For the last 17 years Natalie worked for National Car Rental in SeaTac, Washington, were she made many friends and was recognized as an excellent employee; always positive and welcoming to everyone. Natalie was respected and liked by those around her; the people who knew Natalie were always willing to help out when she needed a hand, and for that she was always grateful, as was her family.
Natalie is survived by her son William F. Baarsma, his wife Shizuka Baarsma, and grandsons Brandon and Miles Baarsma; her daughter Katharine (Katya) London and grandson Oscar London; and her brother Stephen Myers, his wife Muriel Myers, and niece Stephanie Russ and family, and nephew Philip Myers.
A memorial service for family and friends is being planned in Lima, Ohio with a date to be determined. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a charitable donation in remembrance of Natalie to the Southern Poverty Law Center.
We all miss you here at National.
Wow Natalie, what a life you had. Who would have known. You never talked about it. Amazing. You will be surely missed and never forgotten . God Bless…..
I am so sorry for your great loss. I worked with Natalie for many years at National. She was a super lady.
I didn’t get to spend a lot of time with Natalie, but the short time I did spend with her was amazing. She was a beautiful individual who treated myself and my daughter with much love and respect. She will be greatly missed.
I got the opportunity to here Natalie speak on her civil rights work with MLK.I was moved by her story .sorry for your loss.
Bill and Katya,
I am so sorry to hear of your Mom’s death. Natalie’s early days in Tacoma were good times for all of us. Trading childcare and talking politics was always a treat.
I’m sure Natalie was a super grandma and I’m so sorry you all have lost her .
–Patty Smith
I miss our enthusastic greeting to each other every morning, Miss Natalie. Thank you so much for giving me the chance to know you better and for giving me the assurance that you will stand by me. You will always be in my thoughts and in my prayers. You are dearly missed and the fun moments we had together.
I want to give my condolences to all of you at this time.I met Natalie when she hired on at National. We enjoyed working together as we were of the same age with similar likes. She was a positive influance on the job. I will miss her smile and opinions.
I used to ride the airport employee bus with your Mother, I had no idea of the remarkable life she had!
I had the privilege of working for National Car Rental from 2005-2006 with Natalie. She was such a sweet and kind person. I too am amazed at the life she had. I had no idea she spoke Spanish! Still I feel honored to have known her for the life work she has done and the positive impact she has made.
Natalie Baarsma was a second mother to me growing up in Tacoma, WA. She was always so kind, loving, and fun to be around. I have always been in awe of the life she has led. I was always so impressed with her human rights work. I have such deep respect and appreciation for her.
Oh, my Natalie….was thinking of you lately and wondered how you were. I was so sad to hear of your passing. You were a great friend to my dad and our family. My deepest sympathy to your family.
May your memory be a blessing.