Natalie Michelle Mallek age 51 was born on March 19, 1971 in Chapel Hill, NC. and passed away on February 5, 2023 in Shreveport, LA. She is survived by her parents Sidney Ray Grimes and Judy Watts Grimes, her brother Gregory Grimes and his wife Kristi and their two children Nikki and Mason, her brother Nathan Grimes and his wife Kiley and their two children Leila and Jacob, her uncle Robert Grimes and his wife Brenda and their two children Steven and Stephanie from North Carolina, her uncle Keith Harris from North Carolina (whose wife Deborah Grimes Harris passed away in 2022), and her uncle Thomas Watts and his wife Gail from North Carolina.
Natalie was saved and baptized at Summer Grove Baptist Church and was an active member there. In high school she had an interest in science winning a trip to Space Camp in Huntsville, AL and winning a trip to the National Science Fair at West Point. She greatly enjoyed a summer geology course in college that included a trip to several National Parks. Natalie loved cooking and helping in the kitchen when she was very young and her increased interests in culinary arts led to her career as a Chef. As a Chef she enjoyed teaching her staff to cook and presenting demonstrations to the residents where she worked. She loved music all of her life but more recently grew to love Korean music called K-Pop. Her interest in Korean culture also included interest in Asian foods and TV dramas.
Natalie was raised in Shreveport from 1976 attending Summerfield Elementary School, Caddo Middle Magnet School and Caddo Magnet High School. She entered LSU Baton Rouge in 1989 and moved to LSU Shreveport in 1990 for her freshman year in college. After her freshman year at LSU she worked at LSU Medical Center library and in 1995 she worked as a clerk in MICU at LSU Medical Center. However, she found her calling as a Chef when she attended Bossier Community College Culinary School graduating with honors in 1999.
Natalie met Richard Mallek in McHenry, IL and they married in 2001. She was divorced in 2009 with no children. During her time in IL, she became Assistant Chef at Maravilla Retirement Center, Vernon Hills, IL and in 2003 then became Executive Chef at The Fountains at Crystal Lake Retirement Community which served 300 residents including independent living, assisted living, memory care, and short-term stays. She continued as Chef until 2017 when she had an ischemic stroke leaving her paralyzed on her left side. She moved back to Shreveport to live with her parents receiving physical therapy for several months. A seizure in 2019 led to discovery of a massive brain tumor diagnosed as a neuroblastoma. After surgery to remove the tumor she received proton radiation therapy and chemotherapy for over a year. She continued living with her parents until 2021 when she moved to Stratmore Heritage Manor in Shreveport. She moved to St. Joseph’s hospice called The Carpenter House on Jan 31, 2023 where she passed away on February 5, 2023.
A memorial visitation for Natalie will be held Friday, February 10, 2023 from 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM at Centuries Memorial Funeral Home, 8801 Mansfield Road, Shreveport, Louisiana 71108, followed by a celebration of life at 11:30 AM. She will be laid to rest Centuries Memorial Park. Pastor Keith Tarkington Summer Grove Baptist Church will be officiating.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Natalie's memory may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.CenturiesMemorialFH.com for the Grimes family.
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