Natalie Nelson-Ling Obituary

Natalie "Natasha" Elaine Nelson-Ling, 74, of Upper Saddle River, NJ, passed away in her sleep on September 15, 2025. Natasha is survived by her husband of 43 years, David Ling, 70, of Upper Saddle River, NJ, formerly of Lawrence, KS.

Natasha was born on August 17, 1951 in Washington, DC, to Emil L Nelson and Nina Nelson nee Vasilieff. She spent her childhood in Marin County, California and in Silver Spring, Maryland. After graduating from Springbrook High School in Silver Spring in 1969, she was in the first year of undergraduate women to attend Johns Hopkins University. She went on to earn degrees in Chemistry and Zoology from Johns Hopkins and the University of Maryland, respectively. Natasha later graduated from the University of Miami School of Law in 1977.

Natasha was a practicing attorney for her entire career, beginning as a prosecutor for the US Department of Labor. She went on to serve as in-house counsel for several companies across the chemical, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical sectors.

Outside of her legal work, Natasha was a passionate bridge and mahjong player. She was also a strong advocate for youth and women's sports, coaching recreational soccer and softball teams. She served for well over a decade as the director of the Upper Saddle River girls' softball program, bringing about lasting changes that would go on to empower young female athletes for years to come.

A true animal lover, Natasha cherished her many dogs-both purebred and rescue-over the course of more than forty years of dog companionship. She was hardworking, compassionate, fiercely loyal, and had little tolerance for injustice. She had an infectious laugh that couldn't help but make you laugh with her.

Natasha is survived by her three children, Allison Roe, 39, of Somerville, MA, Kirsten Ling, 37, of Chicago, IL, and Andrew Ling, 35, of Morristown, NJ, and by her sister Sandra Nelson, 69, of Jenison, MI. She is also survived by her sons-in-law David Roe, 41 of Somerville, MA, and Ben Cook, 38, of Chicago, IL, her daughter-in-law Meri Beliveau Ling, 35, of Morristown, NJ and by her grandchildren, Eric Roe of Somerville, MA, and Amara Ling of Morristown, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in her honor to Eleventh Hour Rescue of Randolph, NJ or to a no-kill shelter in your area (or better yet, adopt a rescue pet).