Dr. Ginny “Virginia” Leigh (Little) Natale, age 35, of Centereach, New York, formerly of Mentor, Ohio was called home to Heaven by her Lord and Savior Jesus on Friday, November 10, 2023, with her loving family at her side. Born on April 1, 1988 in Painesville, Ohio, Ginny, left an indelible mark on both academia and the hearts of those who knew her.

Ginny’s academic journey was fueled by an insatiable curiosity and a desire to explore the social dimensions of health. She earned her Ph.D. in Medical Sociology from Kent State University, and continued her efforts at research positions with the Research Foundation for the State of New York and Stony Brook University Division of Preventative Medicine and Population Health. She shed light on the ways in which societal factors influence the experience of Alzheimer’s and related dementias (ADRD). patients and their families and contributed to the broader conversation surrounding healthcare disparities. She was awarded a Gerontological Society of America’s Diversity Fellowship for 2020-2021, and multiple National Institutes of Health grants.

Not only did Ginny contribute significantly to the scientific community, but she also found deep joy in the personal connections she made along the way. She had a winsome smile and quick wit that captured the hearts of many. Ginny married her best friend, James Natale in 2016 in Hudson, Ohio. She found a kindred spirit with whom she could share the beauty of a beach boardwalk sunrise, the serenity of a hiking trail, and the profound conversations that filled the miles of road on their journeys.

Together, Ginny and James created a home filled with love, laughter, shared dreams, and rescue animals. They stood side by side with unwavering devotion, becoming a unified pillar of strength as they navigated the challenges of her illness. Their bond was a testament to the power of love and friendship in the face of adversity.

Her compassion led her around the world, on mission trips to Papua New Guinea, Belize, and New York City. She volunteered in local missionary outreach in Mount Vernon, Ohio and animal rescue. Ginny was a lover of the arts and fashion and enjoyed learning new things. She mastered pursuits in ceramics, and accomplished skill in horseback riding, quilting, artisan cheeses and baking.

Those who knew Ginny, even just a little, lost a shining light in their lives. She is survived by, her husband, James, mother, Kimberly Green and brother, Daniel Green; her grandmothers, Janet “Grammy” Fier; and Alice “Nana” Little, as well as her loving aunts and uncles, and extended family. She leaves behind her fur babies Zelda and Finley.
She was preceded in death by her father Raymond Little, and grandfathers Richard “Papa” Fier and Robert “Poppa Bob” Little.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 am. on Saturday, December 2, 2023 at Grace Church of Mentor, 6883 Reynolds Rd., Mentor, Ohio, with visitation from 10 to 11 am. prior to Ginny’s service.

Final resting place will be at North Madison Cemetery at a later date. Ginny generously donated her body to science in hopes to help others with her life long illness of Glycogen Storage Disease. Suggested donations can be made to PAWSibilities®, Humane Society of Greater Akron, www.summithumane.org

Behm Family Funeral Home of Madison is assisting the family at this time.
Online obituary and condolences may be viewed at www.behmfuneral.com