Natalia Crosthwaite

Natalia Barajas was born on January 16, 1953 to Louis and Josefina Barajas in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico. She lived in Colonia Libertad until the age of 6 and had fond memories of her childhood. At age six, Natalia and her family moved to San Ysidro, CA, where her parents began a transition that would change the trajectory of her family's lives. In 1964, the family moved to Chula Vista, which would remain Natalia’s city of residence for the remainder of her life. Natalia graduated from Castle Park high school in 1972. She then proceeded to have a 31-year career as an Executive Secretary with the City of San Diego. Serving in the City Council Office for 3 different Councilmembers. She also served in the Economic and Redevelopment Agency. Natalia witnessed the City of San Diego's transition from a Council-Manager form of governance to a Mayor-Council form of governance. She remained a constant force throughout the City's prosperous and at times tumultuous history.

In 2006, Natalia retired from the City of San Diego and joined the Community Development Corporation (CDC), where she spent the next 7 years assisting the CEO. She made the decision to retire in 2011 to enjoy more time with family and friends

In 1971, Natalia was introduced to David Crosthwaite by David's cousin Fred, a classmate of both Natalia and her brother Louie. Natalia and David fell in love and married in 1974. David and Natalia went on to have 2 children, Valerie Ann (Val) and David Phillip (Little D) and five grandchildren.

Natalia was always positive and ready to have a good time. She loved joking around and never missed an opportunity to laugh. A pragmatic person by nature, Natalia understood the importance of working hard and celebrating her accomplishments. Although she only had a high school diploma, Natalia was often the smartest person in the room. She always stressed the importance of education and woring hard to achieve goals. She was funny, humble, determined and intelligent. She was a natural born leader and if you drove behind her, you would know. Natalia spent her retirement traveling, spending time laughing and enjoying life with her husband, sisters, children, grandchildren, extended family, and friends. Natalia also enjoyed going to Santa Rosa, where she made the ranch a second home. She was an amazing cook and frequently shared her weeknight recipes with her children. She was very protective of her time and managed to squeeze weekly grandchildren dropoff/pickups into her schedule and successfully taught her two eldest grandsons how to drive and pass their driving tests. She was always a champion of human rights and was a very informed voter. Natalia was very proud of her roots and ensured her children and grandchildren celebrated their Chicano/Mexican heritage. In addition to frequently going to the gym and walking with her Comadres, Natalia always strived to live a healthy lifestyle, enjoying life and dacing to her favorite music.

Natalia was predeceased by her father, Louis, mother, Josefina and brother, Louie. Natalia is survived by her husband, David, daughter, Valerie, son, David, siblings Angela, Josie, Rosa, Diana and Louie II., Grandons Vincent Marley, David Levi, Elijah Ramon, William David and her cherished granddaughter Marliz Lluvia.

Services will be held at Our Lady of Guadalupe in Otay on Saturday, February 1, 2025 at 12:30pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the American Cancer Society.