Natalee Lisa Pyatt

Natalee Lisa Pyatt passed away with grace and dignity on March 6th, 2023 with her husband Milan by her side. She leaves behind a legacy of kindness and compassion that will continue to inspire all who knew her. Natalee is survived by her devoted husband and life partner, Milan Paul Valuch, as well as her beloved brother, Christopher Cass Pyatt. During a time when latchkey kids were commonplace, Natalee practically raised Christopher, and their bond was incredibly strong. Milan was a constant source of love and support, never faltering in his dedication to caring for Natalee. His unwavering commitment allowed her to continue her cherished traditions of baking and gift-giving. Born on September 5th, 1961, to Gilbert Couch Pyatt and Janelle Lorraine Pyatt (Smith) in Hammond, Louisiana, she grew up in Mandeville, Louisiana, but her true home was New Orleans. Although Natalee did not have children, she was very close to her niece and nephew, Quincey Janelle Pyatt and Keegan Christopher Pyatt (Daughter and Son of her brother Christopher Cass Pyatt and April Michelle Pyatt (Sparks)). Natalee loved them all deeply and enjoyed seeing them when she could but also loved talking to them on the phone. Natalee could not have been prouder of them. While she worked at Chaffe McCall from 1987-2000, you couldn’t hide if it was your 50th birthday! Natalee decorated your office with balloons, confetti, streamers, and any other piece of black party decor she could find. She threw baby showers, birthday parties, wedding showers, a wedding party for her sister-in-law’s family (on a streetcar!) and dubbed herself the birthday fairy. In fact, she was the “party” fairy! She did all this without being asked or asking for anything in return in an incredible display of generosity. Natalee fondly loved animals, was an enthusiastic volunteer and shared her love and talents selflessly. Her work at The Aquarium of The Americas in the French Quarter was the crowning jewel of her life, and was part of the first class of volunteers to open the Aquarium in September 1990. Throughout her tenure she interacted with thousands of visitors from around the world, sharing her love and knowledge of the wildlife. She loved seeing the public in every area of the Aquarium, but her favorite spot was the Touch Pool, where “Miss Natalee” would show little children (and their parents) how safe it was to pet a baby shark or stingray. Some of these kids grew up and brought their own kids to visit Miss Natalee, and she’d be there. With experience Natalee trained scores of new volunteers, many who were young adults that thrived under her protective wing. Because of her sensitivity, she was selected to give a behind the scenes tour to the parents of the children of the Sandy Hook tragedy, which she was proud to do. Natalee’s love for cooking was something that she shared with countless people and often showed that there was never a dessert that she could not make or create into something truly amazing. Her rum balls and brownies are legendary among friends and family. Natalee loved this world and she loved to color it. Her home was her canvas. Each holiday and festival were cause for Natalee to turn her home into a wonderland of color and amusement. Anyone driving down her street knew exactly what holiday it was, or which festival was being celebrated in the Big Easy because her home was decorated in ways that stopped traffic. Members of her family and close friends would be showered with gifts and tasty morsels for birthdays and holidays, especially Christmas. Natalee's thoughtfulness was an unwavering show of love and affection. Every year, Natalee hand-picked Christmas ornaments that would highlight events of the family she sent them to, and they would be amazed at her ability to capture the milestones of their lives. Natalee truly loved life. She loved chocolate, sno-balls, chocolate, tequila, chocolate, and Mardi Gras. She especially loved meeting people visiting New Orleans for the first time and made sure they understood the rich traditions that they were witnessing. She knew no stranger and truly believed that everyone had good in them. She loved fiercely and was always there for her family and friends. If Natalee Pyatt was in your life, she was in it forever and you knew it and cherished it. Over the last few years Milan and Natalee were inseparable, spending their time together in the park, feeding the ducks, taking leisurely strolls, watching movies, and simply enjoying each other's company. Throughout it all, Milan ensured that Natalee was comfortable and well-cared for. Natalee peacefully left this world in New Orleans, a city she loved, adored, and celebrated. Those of us she leaves on this Earth are saddened because we all know what it is to have loved Natalee Pyatt, and we all know what we will be missing. Thank you, Natalee, for your kind heart, quick tongue, and infectious laugh. Your life was a jazz concert filled with glitter and twinkle lights. You will always be celebrated. Natalee’s family and friends will miss her deeply, but her legacy will live on through the memories she created with and for them. A celebration of her life (she clearly wanted no one to mourn) will be held on April 22nd, 2023, with the location to be determined soon. If you plan on attending and can make it to New Orleans on April 22nd, please email Wendy at [email protected] for more information. "Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened." - Dr. Seuss In lieu of flowers Natalee asks that you give to the Louisiana SPCA (https://www.louisianaspca.org), Audubon Nature Institute (https://audubonnatureinstitute.org/aquarium) and the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation (https://www.jazzandheritage.org). She also asks that whenever you can, be kind to one another.