Natalie Beckman

Natalie was born the first child of the late Edward H. and Josephine (Cook) Cosentino at the Naval Hospital in Norfolk, Virginia on August 5, 1944. Her father served 30 years in the US Navy so her early years saw numerous moves to different ships and Navy facilities. Her most interesting was two years spent in Yokosuka, Japan, meeting new friends and learning some history and culture of that country. However, her best move was back to San Diego and Chula Vista High School to join old friends. She graduated in 1962 and that fall began nursing studies at Mercy College, also in San Diego. She graduated in 1965 as a Registered Nurse, a dream come true! On June 18, 1966, she married her “sailor boy” Ron Beckman and began a union that lasted some 58 years. Their first child was born in 1968, Ronald Christian, number two in 1971, William Edward, and number three in 1972, Lisa Jo-Marie. She loved that job of being a mother-nurse! In 1973 the family loaded up and moved north to the High Sierra Mountains to a little town called Truckee. At 6000′ elevation it snowed more there than it did in Marquette! It didn’t take Natalie long to learn how to drive in the snow. While doing Home Care and Hospice visitations, when the road had not even been plowed yet, she would put her little Subaru into four-wheel drive and climb the hills, much to the surprise of her patients. That was the nurse in “Nurse Natalie.” Her nursing career found her working in doctor’s offices, hospitals, private duty, extended care facilities, home care and hospice. Her passions in life all centered around helping people.

In addition to her work as a hospice nurse helping terminally ill patients – she spent the final leg of her nursing career working for the school district in Susanville, CA. Although her career was always challenging it never lacked fulfillment. In working as a school nurse, she always found joy working with kids. Three of those kids happened to be her grandchildren! Natalie was a beloved soul who touched many livesÃ- She was cherished by all who knew her. In the many sympathy cards that the family received, the following words were often used to describe her: beautiful, beautiful smile, beautiful soul, funny, helpful, helpful heart, kind heart, kind soul, sweet and sassy, all smiles, sweet smile, sweet mom, wonderful lady, wonderful mom, and a Christian. She certainly was all that and more! Natalie embraced her calling of being a nurse and she LOVED it! She also embraced being “Mom” and “Nana.” She took such great joy in both of those roles. She was able to balance motherhood and grandparenting alongside a challenging career. She was a beautiful mom, “Nana”, wife, nurse and friend.

As a mom she taught her children so much about life, but the biggest thing was how to be a genuine, loving and caring human being. That was her main trait and why she was loved by so many people. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her, especially her family.

Natalie is survived by her husband Ron Beckman, son Ronald Christian (Andrea) Beckman, son William E. “Bill” (Joanna) Beckman, daughter Lisa Jo-Marie Beckman, younger sister Carla (Robert) Van Brunt, granddaughter Courtney (Austin) Woods, granddaughter Mariah Beckman, grandson Derek Beckman, step-granddaughter, Kaelin (Jack) Veasey, step-great grandson CJ Veasey, and various nieces, nephews and cousins. Her granddaughter Courtney followed Natalie and became a Registered Nurse, another one with a childhood dream!

“Give me strength and wisdom, when others need my touch; a soothing word to speak to them, their hearts yearn for so much. Give me joy and laughter, to lift a weary soul; pour in me compassion, to make the broken whole.” A Nurse’s Prayer.

A Celebration of Life for Natalie will be held at a later date.

Fassbender Swanson Hansen Funeral and Cremation Services is serving the family, where condolences may be expressed online at fassbenderswansonhansen.com.