News Summary
Natalie Prouty, a cherished member of the Gulf to Lake Baptist Church in Beverly Hills, Florida, has passed away at the age of 84. Her memorial service will be held at the church, with a family service planned later in Vermont. Known for her spirited personality, Natalie dedicated over 20 years to the church and was active in community service. A devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, she is remembered for her love of family and life’s simple pleasures.
Beverly Hills, Florida – Natalie Prouty, a beloved member of the Gulf to Lake Baptist Church community and dedicated family woman, passed away at the age of 84. Her memorial service is scheduled for August 4, 2025, at Gulf To Lake Baptist Church, followed by light refreshments for those attending. A smaller family service will take place in October at the family cemetery plot in Springfield, Vermont. In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to benefit the Children’s Ministry at Gulf to Lake Church.
Natalie Prouty was born on October 6, 1940, in Glen Cove, Long Island, to Michael Jankow and Lena (Shawiak) Jankow. Raised in Westbury, Long Island, she cherished many summers spent at her family’s home in Hampton Bays. She graduated from Miami High School and was known for her spirited personality, which shone brightly in her love of life’s simple joys.
Throughout her life, Natalie was a devout Christian, who loved the Lord deeply. She dedicated over 20 years to active participation in Gulf to Lake Baptist Church after moving to Beverly Hills, Florida, in 1999, where she engaged fully with the church community and its activities. Her devotion extended beyond the church as she volunteered for Citrus County, serving as a fill-in secretary and assisting with filing tasks until just six months before her passing.
In her professional life, Prouty worked as a financial expert in the Superintendent’s Office of Fall Mountain Regional School District in Charlestown, New Hampshire, for over 25 years. Her work ethic and commitment contributed substantially to the local educational community.
Natalie’s passions included boating and deep-sea fishing, hobbies she enjoyed with her father during her teenage years. She is remembered for a notable fishing achievement where she captured a large tuna, showcasing her adventurous spirit. A fan of major league baseball, she particularly supported the Boston Red Sox and the Tampa Bay Rays, often watching games on television.
Natalie Prouty was also known for her fondness for simple pleasures, such as McDonald’s hamburgers, Dunkin’ Donuts strawberry frosted donuts, Hershey’s chocolate bars, and enjoying a cup of Maxwell House coffee. Frequently styled, she often wore a baseball hat as a casual accessory to complement her everyday attire.
A devoted pet lover, she adored her Yorkshire terriers, frequently taking them along in her Kia while driving. Her family life was central to her identity; she is survived by her daughter, Debra L. (Hamel) Gay, and her husband, Douglas, along with her sister, Elaine (Jankow) Zaino, and daughter-in-law, Sherri Prouty. Natalie was a proud grandmother to Leeanne A. (Hamel) Coutts, Lucas N. Hamel, Matthew Prouty, and Andrew Prouty, and a great-grandmother to five grandsons: Avery, Everett, Oliver, William, and Bowen.
She was predeceased by her son, Rev. Philip M. Prouty; her brother, Eugene ‘Genie’ Jankow; and her husband, Gary A. Prouty, who she was married to for 25 years. Natalie’s life was a testament to faith, family, and service, and her contributions will be remembered by all whose lives she touched.
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- Dignity Memorial: Natalie Prouty
- Wikipedia: Obituary
- Posey Funeral Directors: Jami Prouty
- Google Search: Funeral Services
- Dignity Memorial: Philip Prouty
- Google Scholar: Funeral Traditions
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Obituaries
- Google News: Natalie Prouty
