NATALIE MARIE LIQUINDOLI

" Daughter, Sister, Friend, Activist, Environmentalist " Natalie Marie Liquindoli, age 24, chose to end her journey earthside on Monday, June 27, 2022. Natalie was born on August 21, 1997 to Billy and Ellen (Rauch) Liquindoli, and she spent her life defying expectations and charting her own vibrant and eclectic path. She loved snowboarding, music festivals, elephants, photography, hiking, hammocking, annoying her older sister, DIY crafts, powerlifting, shuffling, petting her dogs, petting other people's dogs, and finding the beauty in nature. She did not love mashed potatoes. Natalie was as warm and loving as a friend as she was a passionate and persistent advocate for social and environmental justice. It is impossible to wholly sum up a person so imaginative, funny, fearless, and full of love. While these qualities were so obvious to the rest of us, a battle with depression obscured her view of that innate light and prevented her from seeing how fiercely we loved and valued her. It is an understatement to say Natalie was passionate about fighting against environmental change. In college, she cut her teeth in Botswana's Okavango Delta, finding home in the acacia forests while brushing shoulders with the wildlife she loved so much. For four months she camped with stewards of the land, collecting data to uncover the cause of local wildlife population decline. She spoke often of this time in her life, recalling the simple joys of bush life - building friendships over card games, practicing yoga among elephants, and drifting to sleep with the roar of lions in the not-so-far distance. After returning from Botswana, Natalie earned her BS in Environmental Science from the University of New Haven, then began her career as an analytical wet chemist in Westborough, MA. In addition to Ellen and Billy Liquindoli, Natalie is survived by her sister, Rachel Liquindoli; her grandfather Francis Liquindoli; and her grandmother, Suzanne Rauch. She also leaves behind Cooper and Rusty, the two dogs she rescued and loved so dearly; as well as countless aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. Natalie's funeral Mass will be held on Friday, July 8, 2022 at 10:00am at St. Aloysius Church, 254 Burritt St, Plantsville. Family and friends are asked to meet directly at the church. Burial will follow in St. Thomas Cemetery in Southington. Family and friends may visit with Natalie's family on Thursday evening from 4:00-7:00pm at Maiorano Funeral Home, 95 Willow St., Waterbury. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Natalie's name may be made to: NAMI Connecticut at www.namict.org. For more information or to leave online condolences for the family, please visit www.maioranofuneralhome.com.