I am very sorry to hear about the tragedy through a pilot’s YouTube channel.  Natalie, we never met, but I seem to know you.   You were an amazing young lady and I could see myself in your spirit, although I am one generation older.  I am a low time pilot, love adventures, writing and photography as well.
        My deepest condolences to the family.
          Rest in peace, flying high.

Alex L in San Francisco.

Hey Nat,

It’s been a month today.  I got out on a little hike and was thinking about you a lot.  

I took this coming out of Pang last week.  Just a perfect day.  You’d have loved it.

I never knew Natalie, but as a fellow pilot, hiker, and photographer, I feel a humble connection to her. As I've read about her fascinating and meaningful life, it quickly became clear she was a very special person; it truly must have been enriching to know her. My sincere condolences to her friends, family, and the community she touched. Her incredible journey inspires me to get out and experience more of the world around me. She will be missed, but her positive, engaging intensity will never be forgotten.

your sky Nat, tonight the midnight sun 300 km above the arctic circle
on the 17.7. at 0.19 UTC
Flight high old soul

Oh Mary and Matthew, I am devastated to hear, only this weekend, of Natalie's death.  I remember her and both of you so fondly and well from our years at St. Gabriel's.  Sending prayers from a full heart, Marilyn Calderone

To Family and Friends of Natalie Gillis...My condolences to you all, so sorry for your loss. May God's word's bring you comfort and peace during this most difficult time. Psalm 34:18: "Jehovah is close to the brokenhearted; he saves those who are crushed in spirit." Meaning: God promises to support you when you feel sad. He can give you the strength to cope with your pain.

This is one of my favourite 'Nat'  photos. We stopped at Eureka to refuel, on our way to Tanqueray Fjord, and while most of our group headed off to try and get a photo of the local Muskox herd, Natalie was hanging out by the Twin Otter.

These two trips were 'solo' for me but Nat visited us in late 2017 and managed to talk my wife into signing us up for Blackfeather's Floe Edge trip in 2018. A week on the ice between Baffin and Devon Islands was pure magic for photographers but on our final day we awoke to very warm temperatures and rain. Water was pooling on the ice and the clients were nervous but Natalie (along with Steve and Sophie and Innuit experts) calmed our nervousness and braved the rain to get us all safely back to Pond Inlet.

Everything everyone has said here about Nat is true and accurate but as many have said, words can't BEGIN to capture all of this young lady's amazing talents and infinite potential.  My heart breaks for her family, her pup with the floppy ear and for all of us friends who feel the loss so deeply. None of us will ever forget her. She was, is and always will be my hero and inspiration. Fly high little Nat ...

When we left Pangnirtung Natalie's pack was the same weight as mine  - even though I was at least six inches taller and 50 pounds heavier than her!

I first met Natalie in Pangnirtung when we arrived to do the Auyittuq Classic trip with Blackfeather.   She and Mike Hill guided us with skill and competence and by the time we returned to Pangnirtung I was COMPLETELY impressed with this young lady and certain that she was "going places".

Nat,

Unfortunately, I never had the opportunity to meet you in person. I flew into Albany the same day as you and drove past your airplane on my way home from work. The following morning I was notified of the tragedy. 

I’ve read so much about you, watched all the interviews on your adventures, the photos you’ve captured (which are unbelievably incredible), your aspirations, hobbies and things that you enjoy doing for others. What an amazing woman you were. Gone too soon. 

As pilots we live a unique life. We travel a lot and we’re typically into so many things, so active, as you most certainly were. I later learned that your birthday is 4/29 which made so much sense to me. Not only are you a fellow aviator but also a fellow Taurus. I’m sure we would have had a lot to chat about, if given the opportunity. 

I held a vigil for you the Thursday after your passing. You touched so many lives, including those whom you never met. You are truly incredible. You will always have a family here in Albany, where you left us. 

Fly high, Nat. ✈️♥️ 
You will forever be in our thoughts and prayers.

To Family and Friends of Natalie Gillis...
I cannot imagine how much your hearts are aching, but please know that there are so many of us here in the Albany, NY area who will keep your Natalie in our hearts now and in the years to come.  
With much love from a "transplanted Canadian"

Natalie reminds me so much of a friend I lost many years ago. They both lived as if they knew their time here would be short, both had no enemies, both were loved and admired by family, friends and strangers. I hope Natalie finds Joe in her travels, they’d absolutely hit it off. RIP Natalie and thank you for the inspiration to enjoy each and every day. ❤️

I was drawn to the accident site today to pay respect to Natalie and her family.  As I learn more and watch small clips of her talking about some of her adventures you can hear the excitement in her voice and sense the passion that she had, it's contagious for sure.  At 34 Natalie has accomplished more than most of us will in a life time.
I did not know her, I only wish I could have, always smiling , what a 
beautiful soul.  She will be missed.

Nat, my superhero. 
So many amazing things have been said about you! It’s so beautiful to read them all, I’m just heartbroken that this is why.
I know you’d be cringing reading all of these lovely things and seeing how many tears have been shed over you. But, you really did impact so many in the most amazing way. So, you’re going to have to just accept it. :-)
 I have a Nat shaped hole in my heart that will be with me forever. I am so glad we became friends. I am so happy you let me and Matt into your life and I am so happy I have a tonne of fun memories with you. 
 Thank you for being as fun and as weird as you were. Thank you for giving as good as you got when it came to our British sense of humour and sarcasm. Thank you for being so humble and kind. Thank you for being so inspirational and smart. Thank you for the laughs, the chats, the support and the love.
I can’t ever say goodbye, but I will forever love you, remember you and miss you. 
Nat, my Superhero.

Off blackberry picking last summer. Nat made us delicious glasses of blackberry mojitos while we made a blackberry pie and blackberry syrup….and still had leftover blackberries.

Nat and Newt. She loved our daft little dog! She always said she wanted to come back as mine and Matt’s pet so she could live a life spoilt and relaxed. Haha

Last summer Nat wanted to pick blackberries and have some homely time making good food and drinks. We had an awesome weekend.

I have so many memories & so few photos.

You were the best of friends to Suze and myself.

Obviously when you came to visit us in Vancouver last year you had to cycle here from Calgary!

We’ll love you always.

Classic Nat; big smile, camera, and wild encounters.
❤️

we only briefly knew each other in high school. But your life is an inspiration, to follow wonder and curiosity, and experience the beauty of this world fully.  i remember your energy even now. your irresistible passion, but alway tempered wth a steady, positive commitment to whatever the next new thing was. 
   i loved seeing your adventures on social media, seeing where you were off to next and your stunning photos. Thank you for so generously sharing all of that with us. my love to your friends and family.

I'm sorry  for the loss of this beautiful brave person. I watch videos of her adventures that she posted. I've always been afraid of flying much less the place she flew too. Thank you for for sharing her passions. RIP

Hey Nat,

Today is your day.  You should see what people are saying about you.  You’d be so embarrassed…  always so humble about yourself.  Just quietly incredible.  Always pushing yourself to be better.  

“Black pants, brown jacket, matching dog.”  That’s how we met.  We spent hours walking the park..  Awkward and shy, I was so scared to meet you. 

Remember this day?  BBQ-ing in the canoe, floating around Vermillion Lake…. Trying not to melt it and sink.  It was so much fun.   It was tough to pick just one memory…I just love your smile here.  

I can’t believe you’re actually gone.  I know it’s been a while since we were together, but I never stopped being proud of you.  Of everything you did.  There was never any shortage of accomplishments. 

It’s been so shitty dealing with all of this, Nat.  Everyone who knew you is missing a piece of them. 

You’ll always have a piece of me.  

I’ll miss you.  Just so, so much. 

I left you a card and a beer at home, just like we always used to when one of us went away.  I hope you like them.

💔 Ryan

I had the privilege of working with Natalie in Southern California where we immediately hit if off and more recently in North Carolina. Natalie forged friendships with young and old alike, as she had no boundaries.  She excelled at everything she set her mind to.  She was articulate, poised and one of the kindest, most considerate individuals I have ever met.  Every day was a new day and she lived it to it’s fullest.  Through her photos of the wild her spirit transcends imprinting her lust for freedom in an otherworldly way.  She touched us all in profound ways, a true example of what we should all strive to become.  Natalie lived her life fearlessly, passionately and in the moment.  I worried about her when she was biking across Canada on her time off, sending her text messages asking, “where are you landed now?” and be relieved to get a message back saying “I’m doing good, averaging about 200K a day” with a few pics to confirm she was doing great.  In Nat’s words, “Met lots of friendly and kind people and have been loving the open road”.  This is Natalie reaping what she sowed, kindness in return.  Natalie will have a special place in my heart, she will sadly be missed by everyone she came into contact with, family, friends, colleagues and the wild animals she so loved photographing.

Natalie travelling across Canada on her bike

I met Natalie at a Photography Workshop in Yellowknife where we soon discovered that we both had family living there.  My son is a pilot and that piqued Natalie's interest.  We enjoyed many chats and I fondly remember Natalie encouraging me to go to Pond Inlet to kayak after I mentioned wanting to do so.  I was always in awe of her ability to do whatever she set her mind to.  Nat was so genuine and always  took the time to respond to a comment on a photo or a message sent via social media.  I loved following along Natalie's life journey and looked forward to her next post.  What Natalie accomplished in her life was incredible all while being such an amazing human being.  Many hearts are broken from the loss of such a beautiful person.  I can only hope that we can all honour her life by living life to the fullest and following our dreams.  Sending my sincere condolences to family and friends.

My condolences to her family and numerous friends.  I met Natalie only once - but that was for 14 days of arduous back-packing in Auyuittuq Park about 12 years ago.  It was my first experience with a guided hike. Natalie (and her fellow guide and friend Mimi) rekindled a nearly expired love of the outdoors and especially the Arctic for me.  Natalie was everything a guide could be; always cheerful and brimming with enthusiasm for the day, physically unbelievably tough for her size (I had trouble lifting her pack off the ground, never mind carrying it) totally competent and confident, full of adventure stories which livened up our evenings.  Thanks to her and her friend Mimi - I not only regained my sense of adventure.  I think I was 72 then, I'm 85 now and still doing summer arctic adventures with Black Feather.  Natalie - I know you are in a good place - thanks for those memories.

Mary and Matthew,
I was saddened to hear of your tragic loss. I hope that reading these wonderful stories from people whose lives were brightened by Natalie’s presence will bring you some solace.
Jody Rose

To the Family of Natalie Gillis,

We wish to sent our deepest condolences to you all for the loss of your beloved Natalie.  We live very close to the Albany Airport in Clifton Park,  New York.  We have followed the story… What a beautiful, talented, gifted lady.  Our hearts are heavy at this great loss.  May your memories of Natalie help to bring comfort in the days ahead.  Our prayers and thoughts we send to you during this difficult time.  

Mark and Janet Vinett
14 Haystack Road
Clifton Park N.Y. 12065

She is and has always been my oldest friend. I met her when we were small kids, probably no more than 10 or 12 years old. We would collect raindrops underneath the fence near the bike racks and sit on the school salt box during recess in the winters. I remember when she told me she would be applying to a summer camp filled with adventures in the wilderness. I remember too she returned that summer after skinnier, more tanned, and a light in her eyes. Those first days lead her to literally the ends of the earth, into the water, and traveling across the skies above. 
Natalie reminds me that there is so much life to live. She reminds of what life looks like when you dedicate yourself to your flow and your passion. She reminds me of what it means to be generous with your friends and compassionate to the earth. I am so fortunate to have had you as my friend, Nat. You really are, literally, figuratively, and in all dimensions of the word, the absolute best Nat. I love you with all my heart.

My deepest condolences to her friends and family. I knew Natalie while she was flight training in Calgary. While we weren't close, she was always a positive person to be around and it's tragic to have her gone from our world so soon.

My thoughts & prayers for Natalie's family .  Even though I didn't know  Natalie she made a big impact on many lives here in New York..

I reside in Albany, New York.  I wanted to pass along my condolences to Natalie's family.  I also wanted to let her family and friends know that our local paper, the Albany Times Union, printed a great article about Natalie's fantastic and adventurous life.  So now she is part of our public record and consciousness.  What a life well lived. 

Peter J. Walsh
Albany, New York

I live down the Road from where this happened.  Let me first start by sending my deepest Condolences to her family, friends, coworkers,  and acquaintances.  Natalie in my eyes is a HERO and there are no other words to describe how that plane crashed where it did!  A true life saving miracle of sorts that unfortunately took her life!  Her Spirit however, is still doing what she loved in life. She will always let you know that she’s around !  I again am deeply sorry for the loss of your precious Daughter, Sister, Neice, Cousin, Coworker, and Friend.  A life well lived in such a short amount of time.  God Bless!!

My sincere condolences to you and your family for the loss of your incredible talented sister/daughter.  I work in a building on the other side of Albany Airport.   There were individuals in building that saw Natalie's plane take off that morning.   We were all incredible sad to hear the outcome of that accident.   Thank you for sharing her life's work (photography) and her story.  I wish I had the chance to meet her in person.

Me entristece sobre manera enterarme de esta triste noticia... no tuve el honor de conocerla en persona, pero tuve el honor de escucharle por radio al acercarse al aeropuerto de Liberia MRLB Costa Rica... 
Como apasionado de la aviación, aventura y la radioafición, pude compartir con ella por mensajes de Instagram, donde ella muy amablemente pudo responder y aclarar mis dudas e inquietudes sobre la Antártida, ella fue siempre muy amable al responderme y compartir por medio de mensajes, ella fue una persona que yo he admirado y lo haré por siempre... 
Hasta siempre Natalie...  
David Leiton.

Natalie worked with us in Costa Rica, scanning the rainforest to help preserve it. She was one of those rare people, a real-life wonder woman combined with grace and humility; plane captain, explorer, expedition leader and professional photographer and with all this, when we met up in Panama she was so humble we had to drag out just how accomplished she already was.

I joked with her, asking if there was anything she hadn’t done and that next she would tell me she is also an arctic explorer, so she replied - with a smile - well actually, I kinda am.

We were so fortunate that we met her and so sad she was taken so young.

We are devastated to lose our dear colleague and friend. We will remain grateful for the lasting personal impact Natalie has had on our teams as well as her professional contributions to the global impact of the Green Cubes initiative. Our thoughts are with you, her family and friends.

I  am so profoundly sorry for the loss of your dear Natalie.  She was obviously a very special soul. May your beautiful memories of Natalie give you some solace. God bless you all.
Joan Morrison
Nassau, NY

Nat was a valued and well loved member of our Black Feather family. Her energy, enthusiasm and love of the north was contagious. She will be missed. May her spirit continue to soar in wild places.

Natalie , who I fondly remember as Nat, we knew each other mostly from a distance, I would call myself an acquaintance. We had mutual friends in undergraduate studies at the University of Guelph. Nat and the black-feather crew were always a true inspiration with their passion and many talents in the outdoors and sheer adventure spirits. As the years went on we lost touch, but I followed Nat accomplishments closely online,  and with great admiration as she became a Canadian wilderness celebrity in my eyes, I would proudly brag to friends and family that I knew her from university and would share her incredible photography, especially her work from the arctic. With so many incredible achievements I would watch in wonder as Nat made countless unbelievable dreams come true. I am so deeply sorry for such a tremendous loss , my thoughts and prayers are with Nat’s family and dear friends - her great legacy will live on ❤️

I live about three miles from the crash sight…….although I never knew Natalie I want to express my sincere condolences to her family at this most tragic loss……..

Natalie was truly one of a kind and an incredible friend. I'll never forget her vibrant, caring, and adventurous personality. Although we lost touch after high school,  it has been so heartwarming to see all the stories that her loved ones have shared and to know that she remained the same inspiring person that I remember. It's clear that she had an undeniable magic that was felt by everyone who knew her. I've never met anyone else like her, and I take solace in knowing that the world is a better place because she was in it.

Natalie's energy, enthusiasm and expertise helped to make our trip to the Arctic the incredible adventure it was.  Natalie was a role model for us older folks and her passing is a great loss.   Condolences to her family.
Lori&David.

Matthew and Mary; we were shocked and saddened to hear of Natalie’s passing, and cannot imagine the hole this has left in your hearts. Deepest  condolences from our family to yours. The Thomas family

Natalie and I first met while tree planting in Northern Ontario back in 2009. Since then we've kept in touch every so often as we also attended UoGuelph and have very similar hobby. She's always been an inspiration. I followed her journey from wilderness guide in the Arctic to bush pilot to publishing her poetry and photography. Just months ago she had share her intent to cycle across Canada and hoped to have join her part of the way. Her brave adventurous spirit is something I admire and if something I can learn from her is to live life to the fullest.

Years ago,  I was fortunate enough to work with Natalie on a ship sailing on adventures in the Antarctic ocean -  and I still remember what a remarkably lovely, kind, inquisitive and talented person she was.    I had always hoped to meet her again one day.

I had the opportunity to fly with Natalie on a flight from my home strip to Grande Prairie Alberta. 
It was a great flight learning about Natalie's interests.  I thought her adventures and guiding up north were very cool.  
He photography was fantastic.  
So sorry to hear of her passing and glad I got to spend a few precious hours with her.

I used to work with Natalie at Kenn Borek Air. I only ever met her once up in Inuvik, I did however knew of her just before I was about to start my job at Borek. I am friends with one of her old high school friends who told me about an incredible woman he knew who also worked at Kenn Borek Air as I was just about to transition to my new job at Borek. The friend described her as "too cool for school!" even back in high school. 

Fast forward a few months later, I met Natalie in Inuvik, she was indeed too cool for school, and although our conversations were short and sweet, in that short time I had already felt her passion for nature, exploration, love of flying and photography. My last memories of her was her climbing up on top of the wings of the Twin Otter and cleaning the plane as they were about to go on to their next journey in the Arctic. 

May you rest peacefully Natalie, and thanks for inspiring so many others.

I did not know Natalie, but I was a pilot and photographer. Her love for the far north and aviation shines brightly through her art. To her family and friends, please accept my condolences for your loss. Her life, journeys, and works will be an inspiration to many. Clear skies, Natalie.

My heart hurts truly for Natalie and her Mom and brother not to mention her many many friends  to have such a beautiful soul taken away so suddenly and unexpected is a big shock to everyone, especially  those who shared time in life with her, I didn't know Natalie, but her accident bothers me deeply ,she lived a amazing magical life surrounded by adventure. My name is Dean Kleitgen  I could only wish to have known Natalie in person, her passing is a tremendous  loss to family and friends My heart goes out to you all I'm so sorry for Natalie's loss

Natalie, all those moments passed in such a small span of time was 10/10 experiences!! I know if you were still here, it would continue this way. People lived with you, and through you! All those pictures you took, the words you have wrote and published, people will CONTINUE to live through you. This is a beautiful thing. You lived a life so many on this earth would kill for.  I'm happy for having you as a friend. My life is better because of you. This is the saddest experience I lived through, yet it still makes me smile knowing the positivity you spread to every single person you met. ❤️

My sincere deepest sympathy and condolences to the family.  May you live and celebrate Natalie’s life in you intentionally every day and that her spirit is forever felt within you to remind you of the beautiful soul she was. I did not know Natalie however I live in Troy NY and all I could think about is this woman’s family, my heart went out to you. I had been listening for the name of the pilot, and yesterday her name Natalie Gillis. I went to FB and learned what a kind adventurous intentional spirit she was and she’ll be greatly missed. She has inspired me. God bless you praying for your strength comfort and peace. 🙏🏽🙏🏽

My deepest condolences to Natalie’s family and loved ones. She was a bright light dimmed too soon. She will be missed.

Dear Mary and Matthew,  you and Natalie are in our prayers.  We grieve your loss.  Doubly so as we never had the chance to meet your remarkable Daughter and Sister.  All your friends here in Yellowknife are saddened by this.  God bless.  Kevin and Matthuschka Sheedy

I wish to send my sincere condolences to Natalie's family and friends.  I am a resident of Colonie, NY.  Reading and learning about the life of this remarkable, vibrant, talented, inspiring young woman has touched my soul.

Who else comes up with those ideas?  Nat was an incredible woman, and I’m so lucky she chose to include me in her life like she did.  I’ll always have the time we shared, and I know she’ll live on through all the people that she met.  Nobody walked away from Nat without gaining something, and we were all better off for knowing her.  

I will miss her every day.

My deepest condolences to Natalie's immediate family and her rescue dog. I met Natalie in 2022 in the summertime in Ellesmere Island while I worked for Parks Canada. I'm a young inuk from Rankin inlet, Nunavut, I met her through my grieving time I cried so much before getting on the twin otter she was co-piloting on she let me cry for another 15 mins and delayed our flight to the next short plane ride to let me cry in the plane, she gave me a hug. I can tell the way she was that she had so much compassion and a pure soul! We stayed connected via Instagram, told me she's a message away and she was. Her last message to me was "Big hugs❤️" I thought of her on Tuesday evening I'm learning to Rollerblade by myself I thought Natalie does so much from biking, hiking, kayaking let alone a pilot! and believes in herself, I can too. So I Rollerblade the whole evening and kept motivated thinking of how she wouldn't give up or if she was here she would encourage me. Little did I know Wednesday morning I see a post shared she had passed. She really was so so aspiring, pure at heart. I will continue to adventure on in my hiking, kayaking, rollerblading. I love her! She will be dearly missed by thousands

I didn't have the honor or privilege of knowing Ms. Gillis; I just happen to live in Colonie and have spent the afternoon learning about her. As it was succinctly put in her magazine interview, she "has the credentials and experiences that could span several lifetimes." She clearly had some serious moxie and was a true hero. 
I miss her without ever having met her.
My thoughts and condolences to friends and family.

I only knew Natalie briefly, but she was the person who inspired me to pursue my PPDL. We tried to meet up after I moved to Calgary. While we never had time to become friends and I was unable to finish my PPDL, I’m still so thankful that I learned who she was, met her again through fate (I ended up buying a bike pump off of her) and was still able to be touched by her. I fully intend to finish my PPDL one day and work alongside former colleagues of hers in Antarctica. What an inspiration.

Nat's love for the endless white north,
you have been the shining and guiding light
looking into the midnight sun
be membered as a great polar aviator
May your soul  flight  forever free

May Natalie rest in peace.  I am so very for this great loss to your family and friends.💔🙏

I met Natalie only once, in the lounge of "South Camp" in Resolute bay while on a magazine assignment. I was waiting for a flight to Ellesmere, and she was with a group from Blackfeather. We had a lovely conversation about photography and life in the north. Her kindness, calm way and humbleness really sat with me. We have many common friends in the photography and guiding world. She is and will continue to be missed. She was a wonderful person who contributed so much. My condolences to all those she has left behind.

I didn't know Natalie but also live near Colonie NY and I just wanted to send my condolences. She seems like a remarkable young woman. My heart goes out to her family. May she rest in peace

I did not know Natalie but live in Colonie not far from where her plane went down. I feel she is a true hero. Avoiding all those houses and library.    It sounds like she was a wonderful person - definitely brave.  May you have some peace in knowing all the lives she saved.  God Bless.
Dolores & John Williamson

On that day, we had a barbecue with our work friends. Natalie mentioned that during one of her runs, she found a beautiful and peaceful spot with some grills by the lake and organized the barbecue there. She brought her delicious and famous shrimp and pineapple skewers and we enjoyed them while playing Cribbage (she won against everyone, saying that she learned all the tricks from her grandparents). After that, we had some very funny incidents and we laughed so hard in the car back home that we cried. Rest in peace, little star. Your light will shine within us forever.

OBITUARIO

Natalie Rose Gillis

29 abril, 1990 – 17 junio, 2024

Kane-Jerrett Funeral Homes

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