Natile Hemmingway

June 17, 2017

Fairhaven School System Music Educator

FAIRHAVEN Natalie (Sylvia) Hemingway, 87, of Fairhaven passed away Saturday, June 17, 2017 at Hathaway Manor in New Bedford after a period of declining health. Born in New Bedford, daughter of the late Dennis A. and Carolyn (Westgate) Sylvia, she lived most of her life in Fairhaven where she was a member of the First Congregational Church of Fairhaven and graduated from Fairhaven High School, class of 1948. Natalie was also a 1952 graduate of Boston University and taught music for 31 years in the Fairhaven Public Schools, inspiring Fairhaven’s children to pursue their dreams. Natalie was inducted into the Fairhaven High School Hall of Fame in 2000 as a Lifetime Achiever. Upon her retirement she spent several years as president of Camara Tours, leading bus trips throughout the Northeast, primarily to musical performances. In subsequent years she continued her dedication to the town of Fairhaven by serving on the School Committee and Town Meeting member. She was instrumental in the creation of the Fairhaven Office of Tourism. Keeping Fairhavens history alive became her next passion, as evidenced by her walking tours and portrayal of historical figures associated with the town of Fairhaven. Natalie Hemingway distinguished herself as an outstanding music educator, civic leader, author and historical impersonator, not to mention what she considers to be her greatest achievement: her three sons, nine grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. She is survived by three sons, Kent W. Hemingway, Jr. and his wife Carolyn of Tamworth, NH, Peter W. Hemingway and his wife Leigh of Mattapoisett, and Thomas V. Hemingway and his wife Janet of Fairhaven; a brother, Dennis Sylvia and his wife Mary Evelyn of Middleboro; six grandchildren, James P. Hemingway and his wife Alycia, Timothy D. Hemingway, Steven K. Hemingway and his wife Lindsay, Bethany A. Corkum and her husband James, Christine L. Paquette and her husband Jeffrey and Tyler J. Hemingway; three step grandchildren, Katelyn Huston and her husband Joseph, Jeffrey Keyes and his wife Tara and Christopher Keyes; nine great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Natalies Life will be held Thursday, June 22, 2017 at 10:00am in the First Congregational Church of Fairhaven, 34 Center St., Fairhaven. Interment will be private. Arrangements are by the Fairhaven Funeral Home, 117 Main Street, Fairhaven. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made out in remembrance of Natalie S. Hemingway to FAME, Inc. (Fairhaven Association for Music Education), 51 North Street, Fairhaven, MA 02719.