BUCKFIELD – Natalie Ruth Lowell, 45, of Buckfield, died peacefully in her sleep in the early morning hours of March 28. She had been bravely battling pancreatic cancer for the past five months.

She was born June 12, 1960, the daughter of Ralph Lowell and Edith (Gammon) Lowell. She was a lifelong resident of Buckfield, graduating from Buckfield High School in 1978.

After graduation, she worked as a Certified Nurse’s Aid in a local hospital. She loved working with people and animals and had a dream of owning her own riding school and stable. She spent several years in various equestrian centers working with others before opening the North Hill Riding Academy. She built her business steadily using her special talent for working with animals and people with compassion caring and love, using her intuitive sense to make a personal connection with each one.

She had a special talent for reaching a person or an animal that needed an extra touch. One of her greatest gifts was her ability to see the goodness in life and to make that goodness apparent to others. This great intuitive gift allowed her to work in partnership with those around her. Not only did she seek to bring out the best in people, she also sought to bring out the best in the horses she worked with as she continually refined her natural horse riding abilities and as she shared her wisdom with her students.

As she learned the art of dressage, she attempted to neither dominate nor control the horse, but rather, she worked in partnership with the animal, using her intuitive sense to work horse and rider into one image of grace and beauty. She hoped and worked for such a connection and depth in all of her relationships.

Her dream of creating an equestrian center culminated last summer with the building of an indoor riding arena with 12 additional stalls. She enjoyed the holidays and family gatherings. She was a special inspiration to her nieces and nephews. Although she has left us, her spirit and work will continue at the North Hill Riding Academy.

She is sadly missed by her parents, Ralph and Edith Lowell of Buckfield; her companion of 14 years, Curtis McAlister of Buckfield; two brothers and five sisters, Elwood Lowell and his wife, Gloria Hall, of Buckfield, Dana Lowell and his wife, Seri Rudolph, of Topsham, Edith Pepin and her husband, Doug and Becky Lowell and her companion, Rick Jewell, all of Buckfield, Judi Lowell-Riley and her husband, Bob, of Saco, Elaine Nault and her husband, Gary of Poquoson, Va. and Loraine Lowell and her companion, Stan Ayers, of Portland; her special nieces and nephews, Maegan Gordon, Louise Bryant, Jenny and Tom Lowell, Elizabeth and Nathan Riley, Wheeler and Maren Lowell, Stacy and Jeffrey Pepin; and many aunts and uncles.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff of the Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice for the kind and compassionate assistance they offered Natalie and her family during her illness and to all the wonderful volunteers and staff who have helped in the daily routines and functions necessary to keep the barn running during this difficult time.

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