CLAYTON, NY — Amber M. Natali, 41, passed away Jan. 31, 2019, at her home in Frederick, Maryland.
Her service will be held 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 8, 2019, at Clayton United Methodist Church with Rev. Earl Lalone, pastor, officiating. A Celebration of Life will immediately follow at the Knights of Columbus hall, 460 James St, Clayton, NY.
Born August 12, 1977 in Watertown, NY. Amber was a 1996 graduate of Thousand Islands High School where she was an all star athlete in soccer, softball, and hockey. Amber went on to school at North Country Community College and then to Mercyhurst University where she received her master’s degree in sports marketing and business.
Amber worked for Nike Hockey for many years out of college, which led her to live in New Jersey and Pittsburgh. After leaving Nike she moved back to New York for a few years, then spent the last four years in Maryland.
Growing up, Amber’s passion was hockey. She started playing at the age of five and loved being in the net. Amber was a fierce competitor and played on both the girls and boys teams in high school. After high school, Amber went on to play for Mercyhurst University from 1999-2001. In college, Amber was quoted saying, “I play for the pure love of the sport. Hockey has been a passion I haven’t been able to get enough of”. She developed a love for the New England Patriots and found joy in watching Tom Brady destroy the rest of the league.
As a child, Amber loved to spend time on Grindstone Island with her family and loved to be at Potter’s Beach. Even after moving out on her own, spending time with family in New York, Maryland, and Rhode Island was always her priority. Her family was everything to her. Amber loved being an Aunt and cherished spending time with her niece and nephews. She wanted to be the fun, loving aunt, and she was!
Amber is survived by her parents, Nat and Mary Natali, Clayton, NY ,and Clay and Kay Kolle, Derwood, MD; her siblings, Vic Natali and his wife, Tashua, Courtney Wright and her husband, Chris, Erin Kolle, and Ben Hargrove; niece and nephews Caroline, Sean, and Beckett Wright, and Eli Natali. She leaves behind her grandmother and many aunts, uncles and cousins.
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made to: Dodge Hall, 14972 Lovers Lane, Clayton, N.Y. 13624 or T.I.E.R.S, P.O. Box 524, Clayton, N.Y. 13624.
Amber was a kind, thoughtful, hard-working, loving person who was always up for a good laugh. She will be missed by many.
