Natanya Joy Mallin journeyed to the eternal light on Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14, 2014, at the age of 27. She passed peacefully and courageously after an eight-year intermittent history of illness.
Most of Natanya’s life was spent enjoying the wonders of Durango, Colo. She graduated from Durango High School and Fort Lewis College with a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology. After completing her program at Aveda Institute Denver, she became a licensed cosmetologist.
Natanya is survived by her parents, David and Gail Mallin; her brother, Josh; the love of her life, Ryan Jameson; her grandfather, Mel Mallin, of Overland Park; and grandmother, Andrea Miller of Winston-Salem, N.C. She was a grandniece of Rabbi Maurice Solomon of Kansas City and Rabbi Emanuel Laderman of Denver.
Natanya was a trendsetting fashionista who loved finding the beauty in people and bringing it to the surface. What brought her the most joy in life was sharing joy with others. Her vibrant eyes, heart-warming smile, and incredible strength and energy touched people’s lives in unforgettable ways.
A celebration of her life will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 15, at the Fort Lewis College Community Concert Hall in Durango.
Donations can be made payable to the Natanya Joy Fund and sent to: 8867 Norwich St., Westminster, CO 80031. Contributions to the Natanya Joy Fund will benefit young adults with rare diseases and other charitable causes in the community of Durango.