Chicago’s artistic and wellness circles are mourning the passing of Natalya Chytry, a creative consultant and community leader celebrated for her radiant energy and deep compassion. Her death was confirmed this week by close friend Natalie Rae Amrany, who shared a heartfelt tribute on Facebook, describing Chytry as “a beautiful best friend who radiated light, laughter, and love to everyone who knew her.”
An intimate service to celebrate her life will be held on Tuesday, October 21, at 10:30 a.m. CST, at St. Joseph the Betrothed Ukrainian Catholic Church in Chicago. The ceremony will be open to family and close friends.
Originally from Elmhurst, Illinois, Chytry made her home in Chicago, where she became a well-known presence in the city’s creative and conscious living communities. Through her work with the Art With Me Festival and her consultancy, “Amplifying People, Purpose, and Products,” she championed artists, entrepreneurs, and wellness advocates, helping them tell their stories and build meaningful brands.
Friends and colleagues describe her as someone who seamlessly blended professionalism with heart. “Natalya had a gift for seeing the best in people — and reflecting it back even brighter,” said one former collaborator from the festival scene. “She didn’t just build events; she built connections.”
Her approach to life reflected a larger shift within Chicago’s creative ecosystem — one that values holistic collaboration over competition. Those who worked alongside her say she embodied the balance between art and intention, business and humanity.
The Art With Me Festival, an international arts and cultural movement that promotes creativity and wellness, was one of Chytry’s proudest projects. Her work there focused on fostering spaces that celebrated both artistic expression and emotional wellbeing — values that defined much of her career and personal philosophy.
As word of her passing spread, tributes poured in across social media from Chicago and beyond. Many shared stories of her infectious laugh, her thoughtful guidance, and her unwavering belief in people’s potential.
Though her time was cut short, Natalya Chytry’s legacy lives on in the creative communities she nurtured and the countless lives she touched. For those who knew her, her memory is not just one of loss, but of lasting light — a reminder of how purpose and compassion can truly amplify the human experience.
