Natalie Lucille Kinghorn

Natalie Lucille Kinghorn, a cherished woman known for her loving nature, inner strength and self-reliance, passed away on December 12, 2024 at the age of 96. She was born on June 8, 1928, in Denver, Colorado, to Mae and James Labbadia. Natalie graduated from South High School in 1946, then briefly attended Colorado A&M in Fort Collins.

During this time, while playing the accordion for a musical group entertaining American soldiers, Natalie met the love of her life, John Kinghorn, who was stationed at Lowry AF Base.  After John returned from a tour of duty in Germany, he and Natalie eloped to Goodland, Kansas, and were married on January 25, 1947.  Their marriage was celebrated again in Denver in a formal church ceremony on August 17, 1947.

Children soon followed:  John in 1948, Roger in 1949, Susan in 1952 and Douglas in 1958.  The family lived skimpily in Nebraska and Montana before finally alighting in Littleton, Colorado.  Natalie stayed at home raising their children, while John worked as a public accountant.  She was his able assistant and a mean bookkeeper herself.  John served as mayor of Littleton from 1965 – 69 and ultimately became the proud General Manager of Centennial Racetrack.  Finding themselves in an empty nest, Natalie and John enjoyed their new lifestyle together.  Tragically, John suffered a heart attack and died at the age of 57 on November 25, 1984.

Although stricken with grief from the loss of her true soulmate, Natalie persevered and survived due to her personal resilience and family support.  She lived in the first condo offered at Riverwalk built over the razed Centennial Racetrack.  Natalie traveled extensively abroad touring China, Russia, France, and Italy, where she visited her ancestral village of Lenola and met her first cousins for the first time. She also frequently visited her children in Houston and Fayetteville, Arkansas. 

Natalie was the soul of the family and loved spending time with her 10 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.

She enjoyed her life, full of energy and goodwill, right up to her dying days.  Natalie will no longer be with us physically in person, but she will live with us in our hearts and minds for the rest of our days.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, December 18th at 12:00 PM at First Presbyterian Church of Littleton with a light reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Denver Hospice www.denverhospice.org or to your charity of choice in Natalie's name and memory.

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