Natalie Ware (Cole) Hamilton (1927-2025)

Natalie W. Hamilton, 97, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family on September 5, 2025 in Sunapee, NH. 

Born in Beverly MA, she was the daughter of Howard and Doris (Enslin) Cole. She met Gordon Hamilton in 5th grade at Beverly’s Hardie Elementary. He would become the love of her life, sharing 88 years together, 73 of which were in marriage. They were inseparable and loved travelling, theater, concerts and their wide circle of lifelong friends. Above all her greatest joy was her family.

Nat was an extraordinary woman who was a gracious hostess, incredibly sweet, giving, kind, and talented. She loved Marblehead, MA having spent every summer there where she enjoyed sailing, swimming, tennis and family gatherings. She founded The Holiday House, a camp for girls in Marblehead, which ran for several summers in the mid-1940s. Nat was an accomplished musician who was a remarkable pianist, played the accordion and was a member of numerous church and bell choirs.  

Nat graduated from Beverly High School, attended North Field Mount Herman, and graduated in 1949 from Barnard College in New York City, where she majored in music. Her professional career included teaching piano and kindergarten as well as managing a medical office.  She gave her time generously to a wide variety of organizations including churches, The Fells, The Council on Aging, and the Kearsarge Food Pantry. She was a lifelong member of the First Baptist Church in Beverly MA, the Maple Street Congregational Church in Danvers, MA and the First Baptist Church in New London, NH.

She was predeceased by her husband Gordon R. Hamilton Jr. who died September 9, 2024, and is survived by four daughters Martha (Taffy) Benson and husband Joe of White Bear Lake, MN, Susan Soldani and husband Bob of Tewksbury, MA, Carolyn (Kim) Schwartz and husband Jon of Marblehead, MA and Jane Peel and husband Doug of Sunapee, NH. She adored her six grandchildren: Melissa Rumery and husband Travis of Madison, WI, Hamilton Tucker Benson of Stillwater, MN, Sam Schwartz and wife Jacqueline of Seattle, WA, Annie Schwartz of Boston, MA, Abby Peel of New London, NH and Ryan Peel and wife Nikki of New London, NH. She also cherished her three great grandchildren, Andrew and Daniel Rumery and Brooklyn Peel. 

She was predeceased by her sister Rosamond (Cole) Little and her husband George of Exeter, NH and is survived by her brother Roger Cole and wife Linda of Middlebury, VT. She also leaves behind many nieces and nephews.

The family is extremely grateful to the caring staff and residents at Sunapee Cove Assisted Living and the Lake Sunapee Region VNA and Hospice. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that expressions of sympathy be in the form of a donation in Nat’s name to the Lake Sunapee Region VNA and Hospice or the First Baptist Church of New London NH. 

At Nat’s request a private family service will be held at a later date, but a wonderful way to remember her would be to listen to some music while enjoying her favorite snack, Fritos!