Natalie Swartley, 69

Natalie Swartley passed away peacefully on Sept. 14, 2016, due to complications with lung cancer.

Natalie was born Dec.14, 1946, and grew up in Santa Barbara, Calif. She attended college at Berkeley, Calif.

She moved to Sandpoint, Idaho in the early 1970s , working for the U.S. Forest Service on the Priest Lake and Sandpoint ranger districts as a forestry technician.

Natalie had the opportunity to travel to China and Burma when their borders were first opened to westerners.

This trip opened her heart to travel. She extended her trip to include most of the Orient before returning home. When she returned she made the travel industry her new passion. She pursued this new career in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, Spokane, Wash., and eventually back in Santa Barbara.

Natalie continued to travel whenever possible, taking her around the world to Africa, Turkey, Aus-tralia, Europe, and the Mediter-ranean. Each time she returned home with her treasures from far away places and stories about the people she had met. Her passion for travel and attention to details were greatly appreciated by her clients and friends.

Natalie had a big heart for animals. In Santa Barbara, she looked after pets for numerous families. She made sure they did not miss any affection while their owners were away.

Natalie’s great sense of humor and contagious laugh will be dearly missed by all that knew her.

Natalie is survived by her loving cousins, Elizabeth Ballinger of San Diego and Jay Ballinger of Seattle, Wash.