Obituaries

Natalie L. Schwankl, 46

Natalie L. (Donnelly) Schwankl, 46 of Ephrata, passed away on Wednesday, December 12, 2012 at Lancaster General Hospital after a long courageous battle with breast cancer. Natalie was surrounded by her loving family. Born in Lancaster on December 29, 1965 she was the daughter of the late Robert J. “Hook” and Doris J. (Martin) Donnelly. She was the wife of Christopher J. Schwankl. Natalie and Christopher were together for more than 20 years and married for 18 wonderful loving years.

Natalie was a member of Trinity United Church of Christ, East Petersburg, PA. She touched many lives with unconditional love, strength and patience.

Natalie was a 1985 graduate of Hempfield High School. In her younger years she was involved in gymnastics and softball. She went onto work at several Lancaster companies. Her most recent position was the administrative assistant in the leasing department at the Fulton Bank.

Natalie enjoyed the outdoors, hiking and riding her Harley or driving one of her latest Corvettes. She loved to travel, especially to Key West. She adored animals, most of all her dog Bindi. She would never even hurt a spider. She was a gentle, kind and fun loving young lady who was always the life of the party and loved to dance while smiling through her pain.

Natalie loved cooking and made many wonderful meals for all her family and friends. She was a great organizer and helped plan many benefits for cancer research. She loved to collect roosters and had a passion for decorating. She touched everyone’s life that she came in contact with and was an inspiration to many. She was beautiful inside and out and she will be lovingly missed by all who knew her.

In addition to her loving husband, she is survived by a brother, Raymond A. McMinn, companion of Shelli Fishel of Mt. Joy; two sisters, Kathryn (McMinn) Behmer, companion of Bill Boas of Lancaster, Dawn M., wife of Paul Miller of Columbia; a mother-in-law, Christine S. Schwankl of Millersville and a sister-in-law, Lisa L., wife of Randy W. Stermer of Hellam, PA. Also surviving are many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews as well as her beloved dog, Bindi.

A Celebration of Natalie’s Life will be at 11AM on Saturday, December 22, 2012 at the Charles F. Snyder, Jr. Funeral Home & Crematory, 3110 Lititz Pike, Lititz, PA with Rev. Christopher M. Rankin and Rev. Harry Royer co-officiating. Interment will be private and at the convenience of the family. A viewing will be at the funeral home on Saturday from 9-11AM. Flowers will be received or memorial contributions may be made to the Humane League of Lancaster County, 2195 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster, PA 17602. To send the family online condolences, please visit SnyderFuneralHome.com. Charles F. Snyder, Jr. Funeral Home & Crematory 717-560-5100

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My heart goes out to Natalie’s family at this sorrow filled time. I remember her from the old days at HHS. May she ride long and free in heaven!!

Audra Rowett

Chris, my sincere thoughts and prayers are with you. You and your wife are special. I pray peace and solace for you in this time with the support of friends and family. A special blessing to you.

Marlin Benedict

I wasn’t fortunate enough to know Natalie but was a friend of Chris’ back in high school. I wanted to give him and the rest of her family my deepest condolences. Natalie sounds like a beautiful person who will be dearly missed by many.

Arlene Hocken

Hi. I worked with Natalie indirectly at Fulton. We became friendly running into each other at Central Market or in the halls at Penn Square. She was someone who was easy to talk to and seemed to always see the bright side of life. When I learned of her battling breast cancer – I had given her a bracelet as a gift to help to give her hope. The bracelet was made up of different colored beads – one to symbolize a different type of cancer. It was a special moment to share that with her. I am sorry to learn that cancer ended up getting the best of her, but the time with her was appreciated and made a difference whether she realized it or not. As much as we will all miss her on earth – I find relief knowing that there is no more pain for her and she is in a glorious place. Many blessings to her family – please know you are in my thoughts and prayers as your mourn the loss of a beautiful lady who was truly beautiful on the inside and out.

/jody valenzo

Chris and family so sorry to hear of Natalie’s passing while we didn’t see each other a lot I will hold those memories of Chris and Natalie Saturday morning car inspection that would last into late afternoon talking and having a few beverages close to the heart . If their is any thing I can do Chris don’t hesitate to ask .

Mike & Cork Coffroad

On behalf of NNBC staff , please accept our most heartfelt sympathies for your loss.
Our thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time.
NNBC

Natalie will be deeply missed by the Leasing Dept. staff of Fulton Bank. Natalie was a passionate and dedicated worker and always placed our customers first.  She was a joy to work with and always brought fun and laughter to our department.   Natalie was also an inspiration to all of us, with her courageous battle with her physical illness……….she always had a positive outlook, which inspired all of us. Our staff spent some time the other day, reminiscing about some of the fun times we had with Natalie………..she will be missed by all of us, but at the same time she has set us an example of how a life should be lived.  We are gladly making a donation in Natalies name to the Humane League of Lancaster County.

Jim Brackett (jbrackett@fult.com)
Dawn Sites-Nolt
Neil Wiker
Fulton Bank Leasing Group

I would like to express my deepest heartfelt sympathy to Christopher, Lisa and Christine, as well as to all the family and friends of Natalie. I had met Christine, Chris’s mom, many years ago, after the loss of her husband, and had the opportunity of meeting her son and daughter back then. Although much time has passed since those days, I recognized the name and after reading the obituary, realized that it was the same family. Although I never knew Christopher’s wife, I remember him from when I knew his mother… and just want to say that I am so sorry to see this family going through such loss, again, of a loved one so dear. You are all in my prayers and thoughts. Respectfully, Raymond Reedy Jr.

We are so sorry for loss. Even though my wife and I have never met Natalie, we feel like she was a great friend. This may sound inappropriate at this time, but the times you and I talked Chris, about possibly meeting in NYC at some time, Jill and I were looking forward to it. If there is anything we can do to comfort you or your family please do not hesitate to ask.

Randy and Jill Straussl

What a beautiful person and a blessing to have her in our life.

Bob & Deb

Natalie was one of the most fun loving honest people I have ever met.
My heart goes out to her family and loved ones. Natalie was a wonderful person who will be dearly missed by all who knew her.

Sincerely,
Missy Shelley
Dirty Ol’ Tavern

My condolences to Natalie’s family….she was a good customer of mine….and a very nice lady….

Susan Haas, California Hems

She is and will always be an inspiration to us all. We were blessed to have her in our life.

Bob and Deb Rich

Many thanks to all of the folks that left their thoughts here, Natalie would be proud to know how much everybody thought of her.  Natalie was one of a kind and all of us that knew her miss her dearly!
Thank you everybody!
Chris

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