Natalie Eve Downing

Natalie Eve Downing (née Yarwood) was born in Durham, N.C. on March 19, 1973 and died on Oct. 11, 2017 in Spokane.

She is survived by her husband, Michael Sarles, a son, Caelin Downing-Sarles and stepson, Connor Sarles, also her parents, Jane and Ed Yarwood, a brother, Craig Yarwood (Rosemary) of Atlanta and nephews Carter and Harrison Yarwood. In addition she has family in Delaware and New York.

Natalie grew up in Cheney, attended Cheney schools, graduating from Cheney High School in 1991 where she was on the swim and tennis teams and active in her church youth group, spearheading Habitat for Humanity work trips.

Following high school, she pursued a degree in communications at Western Washington University and was named the department's outstanding student upon graduation in 1995. Debate was her calling in college so her first professional job was as an assistant debate coach at Whitman College. Eventually she was employed by the Social Security Administration in Coos Bay and Eugene, Ore., Seattle and recently in Spokane.

Natalie was a personable, fun loving, affectionate, kind and intelligent woman who had an eclectic taste in music and literature and was an avid reader. Motherhood brought immense joy to her, and Caelin brought her a new dimension in loving.

One of her many talents was words: spoken with eloquence and written with creativity. All of her life she was unique and original, a creative spirit from colorful choices in art to costumes to personal dress.

Anyone who so desires may make a donation in Natalie's name should do so to Transitions, 3128 N. Hemlock, Spokane, WA 99205. Transitions is an organization that provides transitional housing and life skills for women in crisis and recovery.

A service to celebrate her life will be held on Oct. 28, 2017 at the Cheney Congregational Church, 423 N. 6th Street at 2 p.m.