Natalie Murray

Natalie Marie Murray, 36, Passed away from complications related to a seizure on May 14, 2022, in Denver Colorado.

Natalie was born on January 18th, 1986, in Kalamazoo, Michigan and resided in Plainwell, Michigan. She attended St. Margaret’s School and Plainwell Middle and High School. Her earlier years were spent enjoying friends and family and making everyone laugh. She took dance, competed in horse shows, was on the Force Travel Soccer team and participated in the ski club, among many other activities.  In high school, Natalie ran cross county, played volleyball, was on the school newspaper, and was Homecoming princess.

Natalie attended Western Michigan University for one year before transferring to The University of California, Santa Barbara, where she received a bachelor’s in Cultural Anthropology. After graduating from college, Natalie moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan, where she grew her interest in organic gardening. In 2013, Natalie joined the Peace Corps, serving for three years in Panama.

While in the Peace Corps she served in the town of Las Nubes, a small farming community nestled in the mountains, working to establish a community organic garden and a youth recycling program, all in the hopes of raising money to build a community soccer field. In addition, she assisted women in the community with eco-tourism. Many of her Peace Corps projects were unable to be completed because of a major flash flood that devastated her community. Determined to complete the work, Natalie applied for a third year and was awarded the position as the National Seeders Coordinator.

In her third year she worked throughout the country with other community organizations to teach about the benefits of organic farming and seed collection. It was at this time when she fell and had a Traumatic Brain Injury, one which led to periodic seizures the rest of her life. Although Natalie had two distressing experiences while serving in the Peace Corps, she would often say that it was the best experience of her life. It is also where she met Jairo Guzman Villanueva, whom she married in October 2017.

Returning to the United States in 2016, Natalie was hired by The USDA as a Program Specialist where she worked with Community Food Banks along with Food Distribution on Native American Reservations. Natalie was very proud of the work she did to assure food security for those in need.

Natalie moved to Denver, Co., in the summer of 2021, where she immediately became involved with the Brain Injury Alliance of Colorado, volunteered with local food banks and the Denver Parks. Natalie also enjoyed hiking and yoga.

Natalie loved all her family very much. She is survived by her mother, Catherine (Katy) and stepfather Mark Peterson, three siblings, Paul Murray, Leah (Josh) Coleman, Abby Murray (David O’Connor), Grandmother Betty Murray, niece and nephew Ruby and Walker Coleman, Stepmother Patti Owens and seven step siblings, along with many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. Natalie is preceded by her father, Paul Murray, and grandparents, Paul Murray, Lee and Arletta Abbey.

There will be a Rosary Prayer Service on June 22, 2022, at 9:30 a.m., followed by the Funeral Mass at 10:00 a.m. at Saint Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Church at 2301, York St., Denver Co. A simple lunch will be served following the service in City Park. For those unable to attend, the funeral Mass will be lived streamed.

Flowers are gratefully declined. If you would like to make a donation in Natalie’s memory, please make it to the Denver Parks and Recreation for a commemorative bench and tribute tree.

Instructions for commemorative bench donation

https://denverparktrust.org/commemorative-bench-program/#commemorativebench

https://securepayment.link/denverparktrust/one-time-payment/

Donation Designation: Commemorative Bench

Park Project Name: If you see Natalie Murray, choose her name. If not, leave blank

This gift is in memory of: write in Natalie Murray

Instructions for Tribute Trees

https://theparkpeople.org/What-We-Do/Park-Legacy-Program

Follower prompts

Trees to be planted in City Park

Family and friends, please feel free to join us on our live stream link listed below.

https://vimeo.com/720751281