Natalie Alyse Cornelius

Natalie (Zapolsky) Cornelius, age 103, passed away peacefully on September 19th, 2025. 

Natalie was born on December 28th, 1921 in Braddock, PA.  She lived nearby in North Braddock for several years until she moved with her family to Regent Square, Pittsburgh, PA.  Natalie graduated from Taylor Allderdice High School in 1939.  She then attended the University of Pittsburgh, graduating in 1943, with an elementary education degree.  Natalie was a member of the Alpha Delta Pi sorority.

Natalie married Edgar Cornelius, Sr. in 1944.  After Ed returned from military service they settled in Hicksville, NY. In 1951 they returned to Pittsburgh.  They retired to Surfside Beach, SC in 1985.

Natalie was an elementary school teacher for a number of years.

She taught in Brooklyn, NY and in Miss Ruby's school in Pawleys Island, SC.  But most of her teaching career was in PA, in Penn Hills, Delmont, Bower Hill Elementary School in Scott Township and Stephen Foster Elementary School in Mt Lebanon.

In addition to teaching, Natalie enjoyed travelling.  She visited Great Britain, Spain, Italy, Germany and Portugal.  On two occasions, she also went to her ancestral homeland of Lithuania, on one occasion meeting relatives who resided there.  

Natalie is survived by a son, Edgar Cornelius, Jr. of Surfside Beach, SC and a daughter, Ann Simcic of Scott Township, PA.

She is also survived by several first cousins, numerous nieces and nephews, extended family members in Lithuania and her calico cat Christy.

Natalie was preceded in death by her husband, Edgar Cornelius Sr., a son Victor Cornelius, her parents, Victor and Anna Zapolsky, a sister, Jean Ambrose (the late Walter).  She was also preceded in death by her daughter-in-law Marilyn (Geist) Cornelius and her son-in-law Robert Simcic.

Natalie was known to be the life of the party, well into her 90's.  She was kind and compassionate and accepted all people, regardless of how different they may have been from her.  While she is now with many loved ones who passed before her, she will truly be missed by many still here on earth.  May she rest in peace.

There will be a memorial service held at Saint Michael's Church in Surfside Beach, SC, on Wednesday, October 1, 2025 at 2:00 pm.  

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