Natalie Kemp McComb

Natalie (Kemp) McComb, age 100, unexpectedly passed away on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, at her home in Walpole, Massachusetts. Born in Exeter, New Hampshire on November 10, 1925, she was the daughter of the late Ralph and Mildred (Swasey) Kemp. Natalie's family moved to Walpole a few short months after welcoming her to the world, residing there her entire life. As a child she spent countless hours at Bird Park in East Walpole and was an active Girl Scout and Mariner Scout. She attended Bird Elementary and Walpole High School, playing softball for the Bird and Son softball team as an upperclassman. While in High School Natalie worked as a swimming instructor and lifeguard at the public swimming pool at Bird Park, as well as a summer playground instructor.

After graduating from Walpole High with the class of 1943, Natalie attended the University of New Hampshire in Durham, where she was a varsity athlete on the college's field hockey, basketball, and softball teams. Natalie received her Bacherlor's degree with a focus on Health, Physical Education, and Recreation in 1947. She continued her studies at Bridgewater State College, receiving a Master's degree in Education in 1965, and completing post graduate work at Boston University.

Natalie's teaching career began in Proctor, Vermont in 1947 where she taught High School Biology and Physical Education in addition to serving as the varsity basketball coach. She kept busy during summers off, returning home to Walpole where she continued her role as a summer swim instructor and lifeguard. Natalie remained with Proctor High until 1951, when she accepted a position as a Health and Physical Education teacher, as well as field hockey, basketball, and softball coach, in South Deerfield, Massachusetts. In 1952, Natalie briefly left the world of education behind, accepting a job closer to her home and husband in the shipping office at Bird and Son's box plant. She returned to the world of education in 1954, this time in nearby Foxborough, Massachusetts teaching Physical Education and coaching varsity field hockey, basketball, softball, and later tennis. Natalie's commitment to education and her love of athletics helped lead her teams to many league championships in field hockey and softball and she eventually earned the position of Director of Girls Physical Education for the school. She retired in 1986, with a 32 year tenure at Foxborough schools, as a well-respected teacher and coach, attending many reunions over the years to see her favorite students. The impact that Natalie, lovingly known by her students as "Coachie", had on the community was celebrated when she was inducted into the Foxborough Hall of Fame on December 7, 2024.

Natalie married the love of her life, Hugh Lindsay McComb, on September 8, 1951, in Union Congregational Church, East Walpole. The newlyweds made their home in Walpole and eventually purchased a summer home in Raymond, Maine on Lake Sebago. The pair were both athletes and teachers, enjoying a variety of activities on their summers off together on the lake. Upon retirement Natalie and Hugh took a cross-country trip spanning 48 states. They visited the majority of the National Parks during the course of their 12,000-mile camping trip.

In her free time, Natalie kept active at the Walpole and Foxborough Country Clubs, becoming golf club champion at both. She was an excellent bridge and cribbage player. Her love for the game led her to establish an inter-community cribbage tournament between Norfolk, Medway, Millis, and Medfield while serving as a volunteer at the Norfolk Council on Aging. Natalie enjoyed giving back to her community, volunteering with multiple organizations including HESSCO, the COA Food Pantry, and Girl Scouts, and jokingly referred to herself as a "professional volunteer" upon her retirement. Her efforts did not go unnoticed, as she was recognized by Health and Social Services Consortium Inc. for twenty years of volunteer service in 2012 as well as receiving the philanthropic plaque from the Foxborough Reporter for organizing men’s senior breakfasts with interesting topics and speakers. Natalie was also featured in the book "Legendary Locals" as well as in the Hometown Weekly Newspaper.

Beloved wife of the late Hugh Lindsay McComb.

Loving sister of the late Malcolm Kemp.

Cherished aunt of Lola McComb of Silver Spring, Maryland, LeAnn Tibets of Dedham, Kathleen Svenson of Derry, New Hampshire, Richard McComb of Foxborough, Lawrence Parker of Walpole, Thomas McComb Jr. of Cumberland, Rhode Island, the late Maureen Moran, and the late Donald Kemp.

Dear friend of Mr. & Mrs. Charles Morganelli and Mr. & Mrs. Greg Pitts.

Also survived by many great nieces and great nephews, cousins, friends, colleagues, and former students.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Natalie's visitation on Tuesday, January 13th, 2026, from 10:30 - 11:30 am in the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, 48 Common Street, Walpole. A funeral home service will follow at 11:30 am, with interment at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Natalie's name may be made to the Walpole Food Pantry at P.O. Box 43, Walpole, MA 02081, or by visiting https://www.wcfp.org/, OR to the Maine State Society for the Protection of Animals at P.O. Box 10, South Windham, ME 04062 or by visiting https://app.etapestry.com/onlineforms/MaineStateSocietyforthePr/tribute.html