Natalie Tumlin passes away: Natalie was one of Georgia's Strongest Advocates for Disability Issues

Natalie's impact on Georgia is one in that we all aspire. Her efforts with her mom, Beth Tumlin, have had a lasting impact on services in Georgia for people with disabilities. We will truly miss her smiles and voice.

Other stories include:
AJC: Natalie Tumlin, 30, advocate for disabled

Marietta Daily: Natalie Tumlin, advocate for disabled, dies at 30

Below is a note from Natalie's mom, Beth:


Dear Friends, Family, Supporters, and Cheerleaders!

After consulting with the three physicians who had worked with Natalie over the past five weeks (our very caring Infectious Disease Specialist, the Gastroenterologist, and a Cardiologist), they all concurred that Natalie's immune system and nutritional status were not strong enough to pull her through the most recent infection that had gone to her heart.

Natalie and her family left Northside Hospital and moved a few blocks away into Vitas Hospice Home on Wednesday, September 28th. We smothered her with love, and they kept her pain free throughout the following three days. We were so grateful for this wonderful place that allowed the entire family total access with as much privacy as we needed. We had a birthday party for Bill in her room, and showed her the slide presentation (with some of her favorite music) that Tracy and her fiance, Darryl, had started preparing for her 30th birthday bash, and have finished for our Celebration of her life. We laughed with her, we recalled fun moments, we talked about so many of the very special people in her life who had helped her and/or brought her joy, and we thanked her for being in our lives.

Our sweet Natalie passed away very peacefully Saturday afternoon, October 1st, at 4:30 pm.

Her family would like for you to join us in Celebrating Natalie's Life on Tuesday, October 4th, 2005, anytime between 4:00 - 8:00pm, at our home at 5231 Rebel Road, Marietta, GA 30068-4721 (go to Mapquest.com). As Natalie would have loved it, this is a very informal and casual event to remember the fun and wonderful times we all shared with her. Because it is an Open House type affair, there will not be a designated time for sharing, but if you have fun stories or an experience that you would like to share with the family and others who attend, please bring with you (or e-mail: btumlin@comcast.net or fax to 770 640-1287 if you can't attend) just a paragraph or two that we can post on a board for all to enjoy.

Because time is short, and Natalie had so many friends who knew and loved her, we would truly appreciate it if you would call or forward this invitation to friends, families, and associates we have in common. I don't want to miss folks cause their e-mail has changed (or if we knew them before e-mail was invented!) Thank you for your help.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to either:

G.C.S.S. - The agency that provided the supports for Natalie to live independently in the community the past six years. GCSS provides supports to over 1200 individuals and their families with a variety of services;
- or -
Unlock the Waiting Lists! Campaign - The Campaign we started in 1998 to eliminate Georgia's Waiting Lists for people with disabilities who need services in their
homes and communities, rather than institutions and nursing homes. To date, almost 3000 people have received services; however, 6000 others are still waiting!

Georgia Community Supports & Solutions (G.C.S.S.)
Attn: Carol Redman
1945 Cliff Valley Way, Suite 220
Atlanta, GA 30329

Unlock the Waiting Lists! Campaign
Attn: Dave Blanchard
1440 Dutch Valley Place, Suite 200
Atlanta, GA 30324


We will look forward to seeing y'all on Tuesday.

Bill, Beth, Jennifer & Mike, Tracy & Darryl
Natalie's Family

Bill & Beth Tumlin’s home: 5231 Rebel Road, Marietta, GA 30068-4721