Natalie Bruce

WESTMORELAND, NH- Natalie Esther Sargent Bruce, 98, died on Monday, July 16, at the Maplewood Nursing Home. She was born in Bolton, MA, on January 26, 1920, the daughter of the late Lester J. and Lura E. (Day) Sargent.
Mrs. Bruce was the author of her published book of childhood memories in Dover, VT. A copy of the book is at the Dover Historical Society.
Mrs. Bruce enjoyed traveling, completing travels in almost the entire world, by way of east to Israel and to the west in New Papua, Guinea, as well as Bolivia, Australia, and Hawaii.  Her mission during her travels was to spread the love of God to everyone.
Mrs. Bruce enjoyed working for her friend on Martha’s Vineyard for several summers, enjoying her many walks on the beach there.  Her winters were spent at her home in Ocoee, FL, after she retired.  There, she was very active in church and clubs where she did monologues and plays and was always the life of the party.
Mrs. Bruce loved her family and was a great Christian influence on them.  She always enjoyed having grandchildren come over, and she always had a project of some sort to do with them.  She enjoyed sewing quilts, pottery, and especially working with wood, making a variety of lawn ornaments.  She also had a special fondness for ice cream.
Mrs. Bruce is survived by her sons, Eugene (Alice) Bruce, of Houston, TX, and Irvin (Nancy) Bruce, of West Chesterfield, NH; her daughters, Virginia (Earl) Cabana, of West Marlboro, VT,  and Sally Bruce, of Eliot, ME; 21 grandchildren; 57 great-grandchildren; many great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews and extended family members.  
Mrs. Bruce was preceded in death by her husband of 47 years, Everett Bruce; a son, Ellis Bruce; a daughter, Shirley Sanville; five brothers, Stephen, Herman, Freeman, Marshall, and Raymond Sargent; five sisters, Grace Carl, Hazel Sargent, Nancy Sargent, Maxine Thayer, and Mynie Mullen.
In her honor, a memorial ice cream celebration was held on Saturday, July 21, at the Davis Shelter at Townshend Dam, Townshend, VT, at the Sargent-Bruce Reunion. Burial will be at the convenience of the family.
For those who wish donations may be made in Mrs. Bruce’s memory to the South Newfane Baptist Church, Dover Road, South Newfane, VT 05351; or to the East Dover Baptist Church, 34 Dover Hill Road, East Dover, VT 05341.The Fletcher Funeral Home of Keene, NH is assisting the family with the arrangements.  To offer online condolences to the family or to share special memories visit www.fletcherfuneralhome.com.