Natalie Nikola Anthony

Passed away peacefully at Hospice of Dayton on November 5, 2025. Her 95-1/2 years were full and adventurous. She was born in Gloucester, MA, daughter of the late Lily (Korpi) and Toivo Nikola. She was 100% of Finnish descent and possessed their unique concept and culture of SISU – determination, courage, resilience, grit, tenacity, strength of will, not just for a single instance, but to sustain all of that over time even when faced with extreme challenges.

She married her high school sweetheart Guy Anthony and earned her LPN nursing degree & worked at Beverly MA Hospital. They later re-located to Dayton Ohio where she was one of the first employees hired at Kettering Memorial Hospital in 1964. She attended the Kettering College of Medical Arts and earned her RN and fully enjoyed being a scrub nurse with labor and delivery. A piano player all her life, she was proud to master “Claire de Lune”.

They retired young and enjoyed a lengthy retirement in Florida, initially as “live-aboards” on a 40-foot sailboat for a few years, sailing all around the Caribbean…”It’s 11:00 pm…do you know where your parents are?’ Nope… then re-settled to the Gulf Coast where there were many years of golf, a Hole-in-One, cruises, fishing, traveling, synchronized swimming, and singing with the Highland Lakes Lassies. Returning to Dayton to be closer to family 15 years ago, they remained independent as long as they could at Sycamore Glen Senior Living in Miamisburg.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 67 years, her oldest son Paul Anthony, brothers Edwin and John Nikola and others. She is survived by her daughter, Susan Favaloro, son James Anthony, son John Anthony (Toni Sanchez), daughter- in-law Dena Anthony, Five grandchildren Brooke (Erik) Heikkila, Jessica (Kyle) Oldfield, Lyle (Melissa) Anthony, Lyndsay (John) Morris and Rebekah Sanchez-Hodge. Five great grandchildren Andrew, Banyan, Irie, Olivia, Maddie and other family members.

The family thanks the many nurses, caregivers and others at Sycamore Glen and Hospice of Dayton for their support of Natalie. Pope Francis describes nurses as “experts in humanity” and also honors them as “promoters of the life and dignity of the persons”.

On Tuesday, November 18, Visitation is 12-1:30, Service at 1:30 then a gathering of family and friends in the Gathering Room at David’s Cemetery Mausoleum and Chapel at 4600 Mad River Road, Kettering OH 45429. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Hospice of Dayton or the American Diabetes Association. Arrangements handled by Tobias Funeral Home. www.tobiasfuneralhome.com