Natalie Piper (57), passed peacefully on Friday June 19th 2026 at Hospice Prince Edward, in Picton, Ontario. 
Born in Toronto with a congenital heart condition that required major surgeries throughout her life, Natalie refused to let her illness limit her. Raised in Scarborough in a boisterous British-Italian family, she attended and graduated from OCAD with a focus on experimental painting. After graduation, she travelled extensively, visiting South Africa, Egypt, Ireland, and numerous other countries before settling with family in London – where she met, then married Nigel Piper in 1999. She established herself as a graphic designer, becoming the first female digital illustrator for Getty Images, then starting her own art and design company, ART DIVISION UK. 
Always one to challenge herself, Nat returned to school to complete her Master’s Degree in Printmaking from Maidstone University in Kent, staying on to teach printmaking, bookbinding, and life drawing. As a visual artist, she worked in mixed and digital new media, with extensive exhibitions in North American and the U.K.. 
After a single visit to Prince Edward County in 2014, Natalie and Nigel bought a farmhouse on County Road 7 sight unseen, returning to Canada two years later to live there. Nat quickly made herself part of the community, making her mark on the County in many ways, but notably through her work – creating logos, designs, and layouts for multiple County businesses and organizations, including the Picton Library, Jazzfest, Art in the County, the Chamber Music Festival, the Picton Gazette, and many more. 
Natalie wore her heart on her sleeve. She loved cooking for friends, oysters at the end of the day with a glass of orange wine, and the perfect antique to complete a room. She loved facetime calls with family overseas and dance parties in the kitchen. She loved book club, cats, and television with friends in winter. She loved any chance to connect – and remembered every face and name. She loved beautiful things and made the world more so with her art and herself. 
Predeceased by her parents, Glenda and Edward Racioppa, and brother Michael, Nat found joy in family celebrations whether in Canada or during the remarkable twenty years she lived in the UK. Some of her best friends were always family. 
Those who love her wish to express their deepest gratitude and admiration to Brad Gunn, Hospice Prince Edward, the nurses and PSWs who helped Natalie over the years, Dr. Alonso-Gonzalez, the Peter Munk Cardiac Center in Toronto, and all her supportive and loving friends in Picton, Toronto, England, and elsewhere. 
A celebration of Natalie’s life will take place on Monday July 20th, 2-4pm at Picton Town Hall, 2 Ross Street, Picton. In lieu of flowers, donations to Hospice Prince Edward: hospiceprinceedward.ca. Online condolences: rushnellfuneralhomes.com.