Natalie Marie Mays

Natalie Marie Mays, August 26th, 2004 - June 19th, 2024. Much loved and cherished daughter of Matthew C Mays and Jane R Mays, adoring sister to brother John. Natalie is the granddaughter of Max and Laura Mays of Lake Jackson TX and Wilma Ross of Florence KY. Natalie is also survived by her Uncles and Aunts: Kellie and Kari Mays of Lake Jackson TX, Rob and Amanda Childress of Lincoln NE, John Ross and Fran Hoffman of Florence KY, Lonnie and Jeanne Wise of Harrison OH, Jerry and Jackie Ross of Florence KY, Bob and Kathy VanBenSchoten of Alexandria KY. She had many fun, loving, and wonderful cousins.

Natalie was born in Lexington KY but raised for most of her life in Anderson Township. She attended Wilson Elementary School, Nagel Middle School, and Turpin High School. After taking a gap year, Natalie attended Montana State University and was an outstanding student in the English Education Department. In addition to her hopes of becoming an English Teacher, she also dreamed of being able to serve in the Peace Corps.

From an early age, Natalie was a very energetic girl that participated in just about every activity that Anderson Township offers. She tried youth soccer, softball, volleyball, dance, piano lessons, cheerleading, cross country, and track. Once discovered, gymnastics became her favorite sport. She loved the challenge and she loved being part of a team, especially during her high school years, when she trained and competed with great friends and wonderful coaches that she loved dearly. Natalie was also an exceptionally gifted diver. For many years she was a member of the outstanding Forest Hill Swim Club dive team.

The Forest Hills Swim Club was more to Natalie than just a place to practice and compete. If the pool was open and the weather was at least "OK", she wanted to be there. She loved it so much that she trained to be a lifeguard there. That place, the youngsters that looked up to her, her peers that she worked, played, and competed with, the adults that supported and encouraged her, all became an integral part of Natalie's life. It was so special to her that she could not wait to come back from Bozeman MT and immerse herself in that world again.

It would be a lie to say that Natalie loved school-especially after the elementary school years-but there were plenty of moments and activities that she cherished. She loved being on the middle school cheerleading squad. She loved the trips that she got to take with classmates and admired teachers to Italy, Greece, Spain, and Portugal. She adored the art classes that so stimulated her when she was in High School. There were many bright spots in all those hours spent in FHSD buildings

At home, Natalie was the brightest light and most overtly joyous member of the family. None of us loved to laugh more or cuddle longer. She told the best stories of her day when we would sit down for dinner. The pets that we all love were adored and cherished most by Natalie. Vacations to so many wonderful places thrilled her better than the rest of us. She was always smiling from ear to ear and taking in every detail. She was always first to get in line for a kayaking trip, surf lessons, or a helicopter ride. She always wanted to be the first one to the top of the mountain. Our family is full of love, but Natalie's love was the most demonstrative. She gave great hugs and let us all know often that we were deeply loved by her.

For some inexplicable reason, the Natalie we cherished went through a very tough period when her light did not shine as brightly as we had all grown accustomed to. She fought mightily, looking for a way to turn that light back on. With help and love from countless friends and family members, Natalie's light did start to burn bright again. She showed great determination to find her way back to the joy-filled life she had lived before.

Her first year of college at Montana State University was the fruit of that labor. She made the most of her freshman year; it was a great year for her in all respects. A Backpacking trip began this journey. She was so fortunate that her randomly-selected roommate ended up being a lovely and cherished friend. She had tremendous academic success, achieving a 4.0 GPA and being named Outstanding Freshman of the English Education Department. She loved just looking out her dorm room window at the mountains in the distance. She delighted in being silly with the friends in her dorm. She loved attending all of the cultural activities that the campus provided: outdoor concerts in Big Sky, rodeos, Native American Powwows, trips to Yellowstone. And of course there were parties. She felt so fortunate to find a relationship with a kind young man that made her feel respected and appreciated. What a year.

What a life. She is BEAUTIFUL.

Services for Natalie will be held at the Anderson Hills Church, 7515 Forest Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45255. There will be a visitation from 4:00PM until 6:00PM. A Funeral Service will be held at 6:00. All who knew and loved Natalie are welcome. If you would like to send flowers for the service it would be greatly appreciated. If you would prefer to make a donation in Natalie's name, the League for Animal Welfare in Clermont County would be the family's choice.