HERKIMER-Natalie H. Durose Coutant age 93 formerly of Ronald Street passed away peacefully on Saturday evening June 16, 2012 in Folts Home. She was born on January 12, 1919, in Island Pond, VT., the second daughter of the late Edward John and Margaret L. Kidder Durose. Natalie was raised in Ludlow, VT and was a graduate of the historic Black River Academy in Ludlow. She furthered her education and graduated Suma Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Liberal Arts and Education from Syracuse University in 1940 where she was president of her sorority, Zeta Tau Alpha. Following graduation she taught English at New York Mills High School. On May 31, 1941 she was united in marriage with Seymour E. Coutant in New York City. They first met when they were both attending Syracuse University. They shared a loving and devoted union ofnearly sixty years until his passing on April 21, 2001. After World War II she lived in Hyde Park and Long Lake following her husband on assignment for the New York State Department of Conservation before they settled in Herkimer in 1953. Mrs. Coutant then returned to teaching English in 1967 at Herkimer High School where she continued until her retirement in 1984. In addition to teaching, she was an accredited flower show judge and was president and long time member of the Herkimer Garden Club. She took up golf in the 1960s and was active in the Mohawk Valley Country Club and Central New York District Golf Association. For many years Mrs. Coutant was a member of the First United Methodist Church Herkimer and Little Falls where she had served on the Board of Trustees of the church. To all who knew her she will always be remembered as a gracious and caring, lady. She found much joy in doing for others yet looking for nothing in return. She will be sorely by her many friends and family. Surviving are two sons, Dr. John E. Coutant and his wife Betsy of Cincinnati, OH, Richard Coutant and his wife Kendi of Apex, NC, five grandchildren, Dr. David Coutant and his wife Carrie of Indianapolis, IN, Dr. Michael Coutant and his wife Sandy of Mystic, CT, Zachary Coutant, Madeline Coutant and Max Coutant all of Apex, NC, two great grandchildren, Marie and John Coutant of Indianapolis, IN. Funeral service for Mrs. Coutant will take place Thursday at 1:00 pm in Fenner Funeral Home, Inc., 115 Court Street, Herkimer with the Reverend Cathy Lee, Chaplain of Folts Home officiating. Interment will follow on Friday in the Pleasant View Cemetery, Ludlow, VT. Expressions of sympathy may be made with memorial donations to Folts Homes Foundation, or the Herkimer Garden Club. Envelopes will be available at the Funeral Home.