Birth date: Jul 26, 1926 Death date: Oct 29, 2022
Shapiro, Natalie Jean (96) of Brooklyn Center, MN, and Leesburg, FL, died October 29, 2022. Preceded by parents, Samuel & Sophie Pogoler, and son, Michael Shapiro; survived by sisters, Diane Garetz (Hopkins, MN) and Rollie (Mason) Read Obituary
Moments in time, captured in written correspondence with Natalie throughout the years. Sweet memories of one heck of a laddie
I met and became best friends with Mike in 1967 in Ms. Johnson's 2nd grade class at Noble elementary school. Thus began my long and endearing relationship with Natalie. If Mike was out of line Natalie reprimanded us both as we were most often guilty as a pair. I drove her crazy refusing to wear shoes all summer. This made her the bad guy when she made Mike wear his. She schlepped us all the way out to Afton Alps (a 2 hour round trip) so we could ski in the winter. Most often this duty was shared between Natalie and my mother, Jeanne, with each doing one leg. They were saints to do this for us. Natalie was committed to provide Michael (and me by proximity) the best mothering possible. She knew that being our Den Mother in Cub Scouts was going to be punishing but she did it anyway. She had guts! She also taught me the importance of being on time. She and Mike never were. They would sometimes show up an hour or more late. An eternity for a kid on Saturday waiting for a ride to the JCC. Just one of many lessons imparted by Natalie in my formative years that I carry with me always.
I know that Natalie and Mike sometimes drove each other crazy. They could really butt heads both being stubborn and full of conviction. At the end of the day they loved each other deeply. Mikey is not here to say it but I am and I loved her too.
Be in peace Natalie and thank you.
