Natalie Fairchild Clark, 96, of Pullman, Wash., died June 22, 2014 of natural causes at Aspen Park Healthcare Center in Moscow, Idaho. At Natalie's request, no public services will be held and private family inurnment at the Pullman Cemetery will take place at a later date.

Natalie was born May 28, 1918 in Reading Mass., the daughter of Gladys and James Fairchild. After high school, Natalie attended Walnut Hill Prep School and later Wheaton College in Norton, Mass., where she graduated with honors in 1940 with a degree in history.

In 1939, Natalie sailed for Geneva, Switzerland to attend a French-speaking immersion school. Amidst the rumblings of war, the proprietors of the school fled, abandoning their pupils. Natalie joined 4 other students, including Eugene Clark, who bicycled across France and the Netherlands to Rotterdam where they caught the last passenger ship home before war broke out across Europe.

In 1942, she married Eugene Clark and moved to Washington D.C where she was a secretary in top-secret radar research at M.I.T. so was not allowed to disclose where she worked even to her husband. In 1957, Natalie moved from Delaware, Ohio to Pullman, WA with her family as Eugene assumed the duties of the Dean of the College of Economics and Business at Washington State College.

Natalie spent most of her adult life as a homemaker but she was very active in the League of Women Voters for over 60 years, holding various positions, include a state office. In addition, Natalie served on Pullman Planning Commission for many years. Also, she was a merit badge examiner for the Boy Scouts of America.

For over 40 years, she gained recognition as a Red Cross volunteer. Also, she contributed to Engleside, a discussion book group for many years. In addition, Natalie and
Eugene were active members of the Clearwater Fly Casters. Upon retirement, the couple enjoyed traveling, camping, fishing, and supporting WSU athletics. During her lifetime, Natalie never met a stranger, sharing her positive attitude will everyone she knew.

Her husband Eugene, who died in 2000, preceded Natalie in death. She is survived by her children, Douglas (Pam), Lawrence (Sheri), Andrew (Ann), Steven, and Nancy, grandchildren Dillon and Jesse, her brother John Fairchild and his wife Shirley as well as her nieces and nephews.

Contributions may be made to Wheaton College, 26 East Main St., Norton, MA 02766 or the American Red Cross, 315 West Nora Ave., Spokane, WA 99205.