Cynthia was born August 2, 1958, in Kansas City, Missouri.
In 1976 she graduated from St. Paul, Minnesota’s Highland Park High School, which is also where she met Cary Natiello. In June 1978 Cynthia moved to Bellevue, Washington to live with Cary and his family. Cynthia and Cary were married July 29, 1983.
After 12 years working in the dental field, around age 31, Cynthia decided to become a registered nurse. Cynthia lived by the motto, “It’s never too late!” She received her AD in Nursing at Highline Community College. Later, at age 39, she earned her BSN from the University of Washington, graduating with honors. In 2003, she returned to school for her Master in Nursing, becoming a nurse practitioner, again graduating with honors.
Throughout her career Cynthia earned multiple nursing certifications and worked in research, gastroenterology, organ transplant, cardio-thoracic surgery, neurosurgery and neuro-oncology. Cynthia loved her progressive career in nursing and was thankful to find her passion, especially as a nurse practitioner. Her lifelong career of caring for patients also allowed her to travel, teach, and grow both personally and professionally.
Diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer with metastasis to her bone in March 2012, Cynthia continued working full-time as a nurse practitioner at Seattle’s VA until 2014 when her cancer progressed to her liver, and she began chemotherapy indefinitely. She was forced to retire from the VA in February 2014.
Cynthia, 57, lost her battle with cancer January 20, 2016 and died peacefully at home. Although Cynthia and Cary had many struggles through their cancer journey, they feel blessed for the 40 wonderful years they had together. Cynthia had the gift of faith and she thanked God every day for all her blessings. She cherished her church, First Lutheran Church of West Seattle. Cynthia never asked, “Why me?” She never complained. She modeled strength as she courageously fought a cancer spreading throughout her body.
Cynthia leaves behind husband, Cary Natiello; mother, Yvonne Rainey; and siblings: older sister Suzie, twin sister Cheryl, and younger brother Richard.
All who knew her will greatly miss her passion for life and her infectious joy. She positively touched everyone with whom she came in contact. She is without doubt, irreplaceable.
Cynthia hoped that people might feel compelled to donate to either of two non-profit organizations that supported her and Cary throughout their journey: Harmony Hill (http://www.harmonyhill.org) and Cancer Lifeline of Seattle (http://www.cancerlifeline.org).
A funeral service will be held Saturday, February 27, 11 a.m., at First Lutheran Church in West Seattle (http://www.flcws.org).
Published in The West Seattle Herald Section of The Westside Weekly February 12, 2016.
