She was born Natalie Coulsen Brooks on Dec. 25, 1927 in New York. A graduate of Beaver College in Pennsylvania, Brooks first went to work at the New York Times. She married Ed Friendly in 1952 and they had two children.
The family moved to Los Angeles in 1967 where she was active in the newly formed Ed Friendly Productions, a joint venture with George Schlatter Productions. Their first show was "Laugh-In" and during the next five years the joint venture produced "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In" and other specials, pilots, and series. The company also launched "Little House on the Prairie."
In 1969, the Friendly's became involved with Thoroughbred racing and since then have owned more than 300 horses. The Friendlys have owned many graded stakes winners, including Golddiggers Dream, Gray Slewpy, Purely Cozzene, and Vivid Angel.
She is survived by her husband, Ed; her daughter, Brooke Friendly; and son, Edwin "Trip" Friendly III; three grandchildren; and two brothers, Robert Brooks and Henry Brooks.
Services are to be announced. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla, Radiology Dept., P.O. Box 2669, La Jolla, Calif. 92038; or to the San Diego Hospice, Foundation Dept., 4311 Third Ave., San Diego, Calif. 92103.