Natalie Anne (Boyer) (Palermo) Provost, 89, of Amherst MA, died of natural causes at her home in Amherst on Thursday, January 17, 2019. Her parents, Dale Boyer and Frances (Adams) Boyer died previously. She is survived by her children, Lindsay Palermo (Adams) of Leverett, MA, Marc Palermo of Berlin, CT, Jefri Palermo of Iowa City, IA, Matthew Palermo of Falmouth, MA and Andrew Provost of Natick, MA. Her son, Donald Provost, of Easthampton, MA, died previously.

Natalie was born September 15, 1929 in Watertown, New York. She married Loretto A. Palermo of Erie, PA. A second marriage and divorce to Richard C. Provost of Hull, MA followed.

Her devoted companion and love of her life of 43 years, Ralph Cartoof of South Deerfield, MA, was at her side when she died.

Natalie raised her six children most recently in Scituate, MA and Brookline, MA where she worked at the Brookline Booksmith. She was a successful buyer for the store for many years, specializing in cards and gifts, before her retirement and move to Western Massachusetts. She was a founding member of the Boston Names Project where she provided services to people with AIDS, in the 1980s and 90s. She was instrumental in establishing the AIDS Quilt Project in Boston after the death of her son Don in 1987.

Highlights of her life included trips to Italy with her daughters, and devotion to her five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Natalie will be remembered for her humorous and lively personality and fun-loving spirit. She had a creative eye and a love of antiques and art. She was an avid follower of pop culture and worked hard throughout her life. She will be dearly missed.

No funeral will be held at her request. Natalie’s family would like to thank her lovely caregivers and hospice nurses for their excellent care and warmth during her illness at home.