The following article was published in the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle (Rochester, NY) newspaper on March 29, 2007 on pages 1B and 5B:
Teen's death leaves 'hole in ... hearts'
by Nicole Lee, Staff writer
FAIRPORT — The flag was lowered to half-staff outside Fairport High School on Wednesday, as students and staff mourned the loss of student Natalie Giambattista, 16, who died Tuesday of cancer.
Natalie's favorite colors of orange and yellow were seen on small bows worn by principal David Paddock and other students, in her memory.
Students also made posters containing special notes for the teenager, who would have turned 17 next week.
A basket of balloons and cards from the school that Paddock planned to give to Natalie sits in his office. He'll make sure her family receives it.
"It was a very emotional day here in this building. Students have been ... leaning on each other and the counselors," Paddock said on Wednesday. "There's a hole in everybody's heart here. Our hearts go out to the family."
Known at the school for her quick wit and sweet personality, Natalie excelled academically and had eclectic music tastes ranging from country to Frank Sinatra. She was also athletic, and was a member of the school's tennis, cross-country skiing and outdoor track teams.
Natalie also played tuba for the school band, and was heavily involved with her youth group at the Kreag Road location of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
"She was just an ambitious, positive lady, that's for sure," said her school counselor Craig Howe. "She'll definitely be sorely missed."
The first signs of Natalie's illness started with a persistent cough and shortness of breath, said her father, David. He said Natalie also began to feel nauseous and lost her appetite.
Since October, Natalie went to the doctor about 40 times, her father said, for blood work, CT scans, and other tests.
Doctors treated her for pneumonia and did other examinations, but just couldn't figure out exactly why she was sick. She had surgery in mid-February and, on March 8, her father said the family was finally given a diagnosis — Natalie had Krukenberg tumor, a rare form of cancer.
Generally women around 45 contract the illness, with abdominal pain being one of the common symptoms, according to the College of American Pathologists.
The organization also reports Krukenberg tumor accounts for between 1 percent to 2 percent of all ovarian tumors.
By the time it was detected, the cancer had spread from Natalie's abdomen to her ovaries and lungs, her father said.
However, the Giambattista family stayed positive because they had faced cancer before with success.
Natalie's older brother, Aaron, 19, was diagnosed with Hodgkins lymphoma at age 13, and underwent treatment.
"Six years later, he's doing well," said David Giambattista. "We thought (Natalie) could beat it. She had a very strong faith in God."
Many called her Natalie, but Lauren Flynn, her best friend since seventh grade, called her "Nu-Nu."
Lauren fondly remembers one Friday night when she, Natalie and two other friends got together for a "crazy makeover." Natalie, looking like a circus clown after caking on lipstick around her lips, completed the makeover by allowing her friends to hairspray her hair so stiff it stood straight off her head.
Despite her failing health, Natalie remained strong for her friends. Lauren said when Natalie told her about the cancer, "Her voice got shaky, but she didn't cry. I thought she was going to get better."
In spring, Fairport High will hold a memorial service for Natalie and will plant a tree in her honor, said Paddock.
The service will be similar to one held in October for Alex Ciarico, a junior who drowned Aug. 28 while swimming with a friend.
Now, having lost another classmate much too soon, Paddock expressed pride in the students' resolve to persevere.
"They have been so supportive of each other, so caring," he said.
Arrangements for Natalie
Visitation for Natalie Giambattista will be Friday, 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. The funeral will be Saturday, 11 a.m. The visitation and funeral will be at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 460 Kreag Road, in Pittsford. Payne & Murphy Funeral Home is handling the funeral arrangements.