Natalie Gallo Lara

Natalie Gallo Lara, who was born and raised in New Orleans, died on March 9, 2022 at the age of 46, of complications after surgery. Natalie loved New Orleans food and culture but hated the foolishness that often came with it. She is survived by her husband Jay Lara and father CJ Gallo, as well as family and an extensive circle of friends and is predeceased by her mother, Carmen Beninato Gallo and her grandparents. Natalie was a veterinary technician who never met an animal she did not like—she enjoyed working with livestock and large animals. Despite being able to make friends everywhere she went, she didn't like people all that much.

Natalie was a writer and an artist of vivid imagination and had the ability to bring color and life to any room with just a few strokes of a pen, the more brightly colored, the better. Natalie had the rare talent of speaking her mind without alienating people. She used her ability to create the perfect playlist for any situation and had an uncanny ability to quote extensively from rock music and pop movies and tv to find common ground with everyone. She remembered small details that made people feel important.

Batman is the better superhero; friendship requires cheesecake and honesty; and family is who shows up on the bad days even faster than on the good. Once you were family, it was for life.

Services will be held privately. Natalie believed orange and yellow didn't get enough love, so we are all pulling out our warm colors for the event. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to MidCity Mutt Mamas (www.midcitymutt.com).