Natalie G. Brenner
PORTLAND – Natalie Brenner passed away on Monday, May 15, 2023, in Portland surrounded by her loving family. She was born on Oct. 9, 1931, to William and Miriam (Barstein) Goldstein, in New Haven, Connecticut. The family moved to Lewiston, Maine, where Nat attended schools and graduated from Lewiston High School. She studied at Syracuse University and Boston University, graduating from BU in 1953. That same year she married Howard Brenner of Portland.
Natalie worked as the continuity writer at WPMT, Channel 53, Portland’s first TV station. She also worked as an administrative assistant at Temple Beth-El in Portland. Then for more than 30 years she was the “Town & Country” columnist for the Maine Sunday Telegram. She brought her willing husband to many of the social events that she covered for her column. While Natalie interviewed the guests, Howard ate the shrimp.
Her greatest joy was being around people. She enjoyed going out to lunch with family and friends; she was an avid reader; and she approached life with a wonderful sense of humor. Natalie knew everybody, and everybody knew Natalie. Her friends and family will miss her terribly. As her son Joey pointed out, she lived for over 91 years, and nobody said a bad word about her. Ever.
Natalie was predeceased by her parents, husband, sister Rhoda Freeman and brother Allan Goldstein.
Survivors include sons Joseph and David (wife Karen); daughter Amy Barrett (husband Richard); her grandchildren, who made her so proud, Grace Brenner and Michael and Melissa Barrett; and brother-in-law Robert Freeman. She also doted on her granddogs Samson and Shadow.
The funeral will take place at Temple Beth-El, 400 Deering Ave., Portland, on Wednesday, May 17, at 10 a.m. Burial will follow at Temple Beth El Memorial Park at 1 Johnson Road in Portland. A reception will follow back at Temple Beth-El. There will be no Shiva.
Arrangements are with Jones, Rich, & Barnes Funeral Home, 199 Woodford Street, Portland.
Online condolences may be shared with her family at http://www.jonesrichandbarnes.com.
In lieu of flowers, please take a friend to lunch and laugh a lot.
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