Natalie E. Dombrausky

Blessed with a caring and compassionate heart, Natalie Elizabeth Dombrausky lived life in service to others. She gave her all in everything she did with graceful balance and quiet strength. She will be sadly missed in the hearts of those she leaves behind. The year 1931 saw difficult days as the Great Depression created a jobless rate in the millions but many remained hopeful and looked toward the future. People across the nation were in awe as New York City opened the Empire State Building and celebrated as the Star-Spangled banner became the national anthem. Living in the community of Ravenna, Michigan at the time was William and Elizabeth (Schmid) Hughes who were anticipating the birth of their first child. On March 4, 1931 they traveled to Hackley Hospital in the lakeshore town of Muskegon, Michigan where they celebrated the healthy delivery of a baby girl they named Natalie Elizabeth. In time the family moved to North Muskegon where Natalie welcomed younger sister Mary Ann. Nans father worked at Teledyne Continental Motors while her mother worked at Hardy Herpolsheimers Department Store. Like many young children, Natalie was eager to begin kindergarten but her excitement was soon disrupted when she wanted to quit. When playing house with the other girls at school they always made Natalie be the baby. It was fun at first but continued to be a problem when they put her in the playhouse for naptime but failed to let her out! She was given a fresh new start in first grade when the family moved back to Ravenna where she remained during her elementary school years. With WWII upon the nation the family moved back to North Muskegon where they lived above Natalies grandparents. Natalie, or Nan as she became known, liked living close to her Grandpa and Grandma Schmid and often spent time down at their boathouse where she came to enjoy sailing, rowing and simply hanging out. In time she became an avid sailor and thoroughly enjoyed life along the lake. Always filled with visiting relatives and friends, Nans grandparents home was a busy and bustling place most of the time, especially when Nan became a big sister to Betty Jean and Suzanne Jill during this time. An outgoing girl, Nan enjoyed various activities at school where she played the clarinet in the band, sang in the school choir and was a member of the glee club. It was here that Nan discovered her love and appreciation for music. Excelling in her studies at North Muskegon High School, Nan made the top five percent of her graduating class in 1949. Following high school Nans life came full circle when she went on to attend Hackley Hospital School of Nursing and served as class president. While in school Nan began working at Hackley Hospital and it was there that she welcomed the birth of her fourth sister, Deborah June. A short time later Nan graduated as a Registered Nurse with the Class of 1952-B. An event filled time in Nans life, it was during this same time that through some mutual friends she met a dashing and wonderful young man by the name of Paul Dombrausky. Their relationship quickly blossomed and soon they found themselves in love. Married on November 8, 1952 they settled into married life and set out to begin a family of their own. Blessed with Alan, Daniel and Matthew, she also welcomed daughters Stephanie, Camille, Nancy and Nina. While Paul provided for their bustling household as an electrician Nan was quite busy at home raising the children along with her job. In 1961 Pauls work took the family to Washington State where Nan worked as a RN at Auburn General Hospital. After 12 years the family returned to Michigan in 1972 moving to the Bluffton area of Muskegon and Nan went back to work at Hackley Hospital in the telemetry department. Even though she worked outside the home she was quite active in the lives of her children and managed to be at their events and memorable and fun times were spent camping as a family throughout the years. When the children were growing up Nan became involved in the PTA and was a dedicated band booster. She loved teaching the kids to read and play cards and as a talented seamstress, she often made their clothes. Nan was simply a woman of many talents. Not only could she sew, handle seven children and work outside the home but she also had a knack for knitting, baking and grew beautiful lilies. She loved chatting and could tell a wonderful story with her remarkable memory. Another large part of Nans life was her faith. She was a member of McGraft Memorial Congregational Church where she was active in bible studies, Sunday school and many of the childrens activities there not to mention her involvement with the Lithuanian Club. The years found Nan expanding her love of music as a member of the Sweet Adelines and the Lighthouse Singers. She knew how to play several instruments and often arranged her own music. A big part of the Lochanside Highlanders pipe band, Nan made all the kilts for the group over the years. Always giving of herself and her time, Nan was a very caring and compassionate woman in all areas of her life and her career in nursing just came natural to her. Blessed with patience, the student nurses loved working with her because she took time to help them. Patients even asked for her by name. Always thinking of others, she even made puppets for the children. Wonderfully skilled in her nursing abilities, Natalie retired from Hackley Hospital after a 40 year nursing career in 1996. When Nan became a grandmother and great-grandmother she was truly blessed and delighted. Even as miles separated them she made sure to keep in touch with her family and loved them dearly. When Paul passed away in 1991 it was a hard time and was especially so when her son Daniel died in 2001 followed by the death of her son Matthew in 2005. Even through her own bout with cancer and the death of her loved ones Nan never once complained. Through it all she balanced grace with quiet strength. Her strong will, positive outlook, compassion for and appreciation of life allowed her to remain a rich blessing in the lives of her family. Sadly, Natalie Elizabeth Dombrausky died on Sunday, September 13, 2009 at the age of 78. She will be forever cherished by the lives she so lovingly touched. Natalie is survived by her son, Alan (Linda) Dombrausky of New Mexico; daughters, Stephanie (Michael) Batten of Iowa, Camille (Ruan) Bacigalupa of New Mexico, Nancy (Alexander) Abler of Maryland and Nina (Daniel) Leask of Warren; grandchildren, Mitchell Dombrausky, Kelly (Walter) Waite, Bryan Dombrausky, Erin (Leonard) Wood III, Andrea Abler, Sara (Steven) Lough, Wesley Abler, Joel Abler, Katy Dombrausky, Myles Dombrausky, Emily Abler, Angela Bacigalupa, Meaghan Dombrausky, Kailie Dombrausky and Melissa Bacigalupa; 4 great-grandchildren; sisters, Mary (Kyran) Mitchelson of Grand Blanc, Betty (Gary) Shedd of Muskegon, Sue (Jim) Mattson of Muskegon and Deborah (Basil) Hill of Fremont; daughters-in-law, Marcia Fields and Lori Osowski; many nieces, nephews and cousins. A service to celebrate Nans life will be held on Friday, September 18, 2009, 1:00 PM at McGraft Memorial Congregational Church with Dr. Gerald Wahr officiating. Interment at Laketon Township Cemetery. Visitation will be on Thursday, 2-5 and 7-9 PM at Clock Life Story Funeral Home-Muskegon and on Friday one hour prior to the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, please give to the charity of your choice. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to leave a memory, favorite photo or to sign her online guest book.