Obituary: Monica Natalie (Kowalski) Vanderburg

Monica Natalie (Kowalski) Vanderburg

SCARBOROUGH – Monica Natalie (Kowalski) Vanderburg, 83, passed away on Oct. 17, 2026 after a short illness. She was surrounded by her loving family.

Natalie was born in Dickson City, Pa. to Stanley and Pearl Kowalski. She moved to Linden, N.J. after her father returned from World War II. She graduated from Linden High School where she was a national honor student. Natalie attended Wilkes University earning a BA in Education. She met her future husband, William Vanderburg, at Wilkes.

Natalie taught junior high school in Groton, Conn. She then went to work for a publisher in Washington, D.C. She married Bert William “Bill” Vanderburg in 1970 and joined him in Hawaii where he worked in hospital management. Natalie completed her master’s degree in Educational Psychology at the University of Hawaii.

Natalie and Bill moved to the Wilkes Barre, Pa. area in 1972 where Natalie served as a guidance counselor in Wilkes-Barre and Kingston schools. She then served as a guidance counselor at College Misericordia in Dallas, Pa. In 1982, Natalie and Bill relocated to Macon, Ga. where Natalie did private tutoring. In 1985, Natalie moved to Portland where she and her husband have lived for the last 40 years.

Natalie loved Maine. She enjoyed walking the beaches, playing tennis and working out. She was a great cook interested in exploring new dishes. She was proud of her Polish heritage and enjoyed Polish food. She delighted in trying new restaurants and was joyful as the Portland area developed a wonderful variety of restaurants over the last four decades. Natalie also loved classical music. She learned to play piano and was a supporter of the Portland Conservatory of Music and the Portland Symphony Orchestra.

Natalie is survived by her loving husband of 55 years, Bill Vanderburg; her brother, Martin Kowalski, his wife, Audrey; and she is aunt to Kathryn O’Neill (Andrew), Christine Hunt (William); grandnieces Julie, Alexandra, Victoria and grandnephew, William.

Natalie’s family will hold a Celebration of Life at a future date.

Memorial donations to the Portland Conservatory of Music and the Portland Symphony Orchestra are appreciated.

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