Natalie Ann Parkhurst, 37, of Clermont, Florida, and formerly of Brunswick, Georgia, passed away on Friday morning at Cornerstone Hospice in Clermont, Florida with her loved ones by her side.

Natalie was a 2002 graduate of Brunswick High School where she was a varsity soccer player and an active member of the forensics team. Natalie had a passion for learning and never stopped pursuing knowledge and education. Natalie graduated magna cum laude from Valdosta State University with a Bachelor of Science in psychology. Natalie also holds an associate's degree in biotechnology and a certificate as a chemical laboratory specialist from Florida State College at Jacksonville. In recent years, Natalie felt the calling to pass her love of learning, math, and science on to the next generation. Natalie went back to school at the University of Central Florida to pursue a degree in education. Before becoming ill, she attained her provisional teaching certification and was working as a substitute teacher in Lake County, Florida, as she pursued career opportunities in education. It was Natalie's goal to become a middle school science teacher, and although she did not have her own class yet, she was able to make a lasting impression on many students through various long-term substitute-teaching positions. Prior to moving to Florida in 2014, Natalie spent a number of years working at Bed Bath and Beyond in Brunswick, Georgia, where she developed lasting relationships with her treasured customers.

In her free time, Natalie enjoyed scrapbooking and creating handmade cards for her loved ones, visiting the Orlando-area theme parks: Disney World and Sea World Aquatica, and cheering on the UCF Knights and Chicago Cubs with her better half, Steven. Natalie also resumed running as a hobby in recent years and completed her first 10K and half marathon in 2018.

Natalie is survived by her dearest, Steven Roddenberry; parents, Deborah Strong and Donald Parkhurst (Peggy Dixon); sisters, Yvonne Steinberg (Pete) and Mia Jeckel (Craig); godparents, Bob and Pam Hammer; niece, Penelope; nephew, Elliot; grandmother, Toni Strong; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Natalie was preceded in death by her beloved cat of 15 years, Socrates; her sister, Jody; and grandparents, Edith and Eddie Parkhurst, Joyce and Fredrick Clinton and Richard Strong.

An outdoor memorial service is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 7 at Brunswick Memorial Park Funeral Home, 4407 U.S. Highway 17 North, in Brunswick.

In lieu of flowers, friends and family are encouraged to donate to the Cornerstone Hospice of Clermont, Florida, or your favorite charity .