Natalie Millicent Courtenay

December 20, 1965 - August 24, 2022

Natalie Courtenay was a force. She was a wife, a mom, a daughter, a sister, and a friend. She was a career focused working mom who had a love of good lakes, sports and a passion for getting outdoors to enjoy all it has to offer.

She left us too soon at the age of 56.

Nat was an Ottawa Girl. Robert and Constance Stinson’s daughter spent the better part of her life travelling between Ottawa, Mont Ste Marie and lake Pemichangan.

Her home in McKellar Park was a refuge for her and the local kids who would raid her fridge at lunch time or after school. Evenings spent with her friends from the hood, sharing a bottle…or two of wine were cherished.

Mont Ste Marie was where Natalie, the athlete, excelled. A good day was a great hike or bike ride on the Mountain. A great day was fresh powder and sunny skies making fresh tracks. Time with her family was the perfect way to end any day on the hill.

After attending Laurentian University she decided to head to Australia for an adventure. And what an adventure it was. Within days of arriving, she met Antony, who she would travel Australia with in a beat up car and who she would travel through life with; a smile on her face and a heart full of love. A perfect match. He skied, he biked, he hiked (when required), and he had that great accent. What more could a girl ask for?

In keeping with her passions Natalie and Antony were married in Red Mountain, BC and skied the day of their wedding. They returned out West many times over the years and spent time living in Fernie as well.

Natalie’s work life brought her much fulfilment. After university and returning from Australia , Natalie honed her skills working for the Canadian Figure Skating Association, commuting by bicycle from her and Antony’s apartment in downtown Ottawa to the Blair Road Office. After a number of years with Figure Skating she applied to Ogden Entertainment for the position as the marketing Manager for the then, under construction Corel Center. Here she directed all the marketing activities for all non hockey events and learnt more about Monster Truck racing, the WWF and concert management that she really needed to know. Her dedication was such that the morning that her water broke with her first son she still went in to work to make sure the Elton John concert went off without a hitch! After her time with Ogden she entered the high tech industry where she spent time as channel marketing manager for Mitel and Pleora Technologies.

During this time Natalie spent years volunteering as Alpine Director with the Mont Ste Marie ski club, and working with volunteer organisations to bring Syrian refugees into Canada.

Natalies pride and joys were her two sons, Rowan and James. She was that mom cheering on her boys at Nepean and Bishops rugby games, or standing at the top of a ski race run watching them race. She was so proud of the men they have become and cherished weekends at the cottage hanging with them and their friends.

In the summer, you could find Natalie at the lake doing any number of activities. From spending quiet time reading a book on the dock to wakeboarding behind the family boat or on her Mountain Bike every day. As the summers passed, she discovered a passion for open water kayaking and would spend a couple of weeks each summer out on the water, kayaking and camping with her crew of ladies

To say you were Natalie Courtenay’s friend was a privilege. Always available for a chat or a walk, there to listen, offering good advice. Whether with a cup of tea or a glass of wine, a recommendation for a great book or tv series, Nat was always there for you.

She stood by so many through their own losses, sicknesses and heartbreak, it was no surprise how many friends stepped up to help her when she became very ill.

Nat was a defier of expectations. When the prognosis wasn't good she would have none of it and lived years beyond her diagnosis. And lived she did…every minute. Travelling. Exploring. Biking. Skiing. There was no holding her back.

Natalie’s life was much shorter than it should have been. But it was rich in love and laughter surrounded by friends and a family that loved her dearly.

A celebration of life will be held from 11AM till 2PM Friday September 2nd.

Remberences at 12 noon.

At the First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa, 30 Cleary Ave, Ottawa, ON K2A 4A1

In lieu of flowers please donate to the Breast Cancer Society of Canada 

Send to someone

Share this obituary with others

https://everloved.com/life-of/natalie-courtenay/obituary/

Copy