Early January 14th at University Hospital in London, Ontario, Dr. Natasha Mari Koziol, aged 54, died peacefully with family at her side, her 12 year struggle with cancer was finally over. Her children Erika and Kurtis, who loved her very much, will miss her terribly. When my sister Natasha left this world to join our Father (John), the family circle was changed again.
There were six girls in the family; myself, Jane, Natasha, Valarie, Ann Marie and Andrea. Sometimes our Mother (Mary) would jokingly refer to us as Daughter #1, Daughter #2 … but now Daughter #3 has gone, leaving another hole in the fabric of the family.
Our family is blessed with creative, energetic personalities. Natasha was an authentic soul who loved writing, music and nature. Through the various colleges and universities she taught at, many students enjoyed her warm enthusiastic approach to learning. Her love of music was heard through her flute when she played with a number of community orchestras. Nature called her to Kilbear Provincial Park, on Georgian Bay, which was her favourite place on earth and where she regularly camped, hiked and roasted hot dogs.
Yes, Natasha left her mark on the world and believed everyone should live life to the fullest. Her motto was “You Only Live Once”. I recall an old song we sang at summer camp a lifetime ago when we were young.
Today, while the blossoms still cling to the vine,
I’ll taste your strawberries,I’ll drink your sweet wine,
A million tomorrows shall all pass away,
There I forget all the joy that is mine, today.
~~~~~~
I can’t be contented with yesterday’s glory,
I can’t live on promises winter to spring,
Today is my moment, now is my story,
I’ll laugh and I’ll cry and I’ll sing.
While we could never fill the hole Natasha left, I would like to think that the fabric of our family has been made much richer and more interesting … thank you Natasha for sharing your full courageous life and reminding me that … tomorrow is promised to no one.
In memoriam donations can be made to the Friends of Kilbear Park. http://friendsofkillbear.com/who-we-are/donations.html
January 15, 2013
My Dearest Friend, I am sorry for your loss, if you need anything, just ask. Pavlova.
January 15, 2013
Carol, I am so sorry for you and your family. Your words are inspirational and meaningful. Thank you for sharing ..if you need anything you know where I am.
January 15, 2013
Carol, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. This is a beautiful honoring of your sister’s spirit. Thank you for sharing this reminder that ‘tomorrow is promised to no one’…..I will carry it with me today. Jo
January 15, 2013
Carol, sorry to hear about your sister. A lesson for all of us in your words. Sharon
January 15, 2013
I am so sorry for your loss, Carol. In your loving tribute to Natasha, I sense a wholeness of spiritual connection tenderly holding your family in this sad time. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
January 15, 2013
I’m so sorry for your loss Carol. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
January 15, 2013
Oh Carol, I’m so sorry to hear this. I am praying for peace and comfort for your family. I loved that song from camp. Great memories.
January 15, 2013
Carol, thanks for sharing your memories with us and the metaphor of the fabric of life. You are creating/weaving something very beautiful just by being you. It is a true example of how you share your uniqueness. Continued success.
January 15, 2013
Very sorry for your loss Carol. Thinking of you and your family and wishing you peace and comfort.
January 16, 2013
Carol,
We were so sorry to read of Tosh’s passing. Our camp song brought back so many memories.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you, your sisters and especially Mary at this time.
January 17, 2013
Carol, Julie and I are so very sorry for the loss of your sister. We both have sisters and treasure them so much so we know how hard this must be for you. Fifty four is way too young. Hugs, Karen and Julie (Protek)
January 17, 2013
Thank you for sharing this loving tribute to your sister. Your mention of Killbear really brings back camping stories that Nat shared with me over the years . Tomorrow is definitely not promised to any of us, so I hope that we all take the time to live life to the fullest.
My thoughts are with you and your family.
January 17, 2013
I went to Central with Natasha and my twin sister Karen and I enjoyed playing in the orchestra with her – we also went with her every Monday to Sarnia to play in the community orchestra there with Bruce Richardson. I lost Karen two years ago to cancer – not a day goes by that she is not thought of. Sisters are special. Each day is a gift. Treasure your memories.
January 18, 2013
I met Natasha through an adult band at UWO and we bonded from the first day we met. We shared a love of flute playing, knitting, gardening, camping, learning and laughing. In the small world we live in, my Aunt Vera Lasek was your neighbour at one time and my father knew your father John. Natasha was a talented, smart, beautiful woman inside and out and her loss will be felt by many whose lives she touched. I cannot believe she is gone. We were going to grow old together and knit in rocking chairs on the porch. I love her like a sister. I know that she is now released from the pain of cancer and has found peace. She was my Slavic sister and I will miss her till the day I die.
January 18, 2013
I only knew her each year through The Community Players productions where she was involved in the orchestra, but it was always a pleasure to catch up with her at that time. I admired her perseverance through adversity, and her passion for music. The pit won’t be the same this year without her!
January 22, 2013
Carol.. and the rest of the Koziol family.. I’ve only just heard of Natsha’s passing and wanted to send you warm thoughts and remembrances. Please know that she will be remembered by many who have known her from the earliest days.. Best wishes to the entire family.
January 23, 2013
When nature completes its cycle the world and trees are at one with the essence of the being within the positivity of life.
January 24, 2013
My sincere condolences to your family. Natasha and I first met while teaching at Canadore College 25 years ago. What struck me then, and what I’ll remember about each conversation we had since that time, was the energy and passion she brought to everything she believed in. No half measures or half truths! I will try to follow her example of embracing each day with courage.
February 8, 2013
Paul and I were deeply sorry to hear the news about Tash. I have so many fond memories of her from our days together at CQE. One of my favourite ones was spending a week in a canoe with her and K.B-H singing the songs from Godspell in harmony. Tash was a strong, wise, and thoughtful person. She had a strong sense of right and wrong and she always had high expectations for herself and those around her. She brought out the best in me.Tash has always had a special place in my heart and I will carry her memory there always. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
May 17, 2013
Dear Carol,
i’m so sorry to hear of Natasha’s death and so glad i went to the 50th anniversary of C,C,Carrothers several years ago and had a chance to visit with her. i was a classmate of Valarie’s and revered, from a distance, the Slavic goddesses which were the sisters Koziol. (My family was Polish and Ukrainian on my mother’s paternal side but in a “Don’t say you’re Polish” kind of way.)
Natasha was ahead of me and Valarie in school. i remembered her and you, walking tall, wearing long skirts which made you seem even taller. And such polymaths! What a gifted family!
That night at CC Carrothers, Natasha told me about her children, her health, her doctorate, her department at Western and caught me up a bit about Valarie. i told her that i’d thought of all of you when i read your dad’s obituary, a year or two before that night.
i was not a bit surprised at what she’d accomplished. She was an Amazon. But i was pleased — just thrilled for her.
When the Alumni Gazette arrived today, i crumpled inside. i’d been thinking of calling the U. since seeing her those years ago,
No, nobody is promised tomorrow.
May 17, 2013
Thanks for your kind words … I too was at that reunion and wondered at how we all seem to go back in time to enjoy good memories.
October 21, 2013
I was so shocked and sorry to read about Tash. I saw her last about 6 months before she died, and I was stunned to see that she was in a wheelchair (I am a science prof at Western and would see her from time to time on campus). I knew Tash for many years and I attended her wedding so many years ago. She wss accomplished, smart and great fun, and I will miss her a lot.