Passed away peacefully after a short illness on Sunday, June 18, 2017 in Saint Luke's Homes in St. John's at the age of 93 years. Born in Kharkov, USSR in August 1923, Natalia was the oldest daughter of Tatiana Malysheva (nee Shtareva) and Sergey Malyshev. During WWII, Natalia participated in the war effort by making mortar shells at the ordinance factory in Murom where she worked long shifts for two and a half years without any days off. After graduating from Gorki Medical University in 1948, she worked as a medical doctor in Elets for 38 years until she retired. Natalia moved from Russia to Newfoundland in 2000 to live in her son's family. Natalia was predeceased by her parents, her sister Elena Mingazova and her husband Dmitri Afanassiev. Leaving to mourn are her son Iakov Afanassiev; daughter-in-law Stephanie Curnoe; grandchildren Anton, Jordana and Portia; and several nieces and nephews in Russia. Special thanks to the nurses and staff of the Saint Luke's Homes for their care and support. Cremation has taken place. The family will receive visitors at Carnell's Funeral Home, 329 Freshwater Road on Tuesday, June 20th, 2017 from 3-6 p.m. Interment will occur at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in Natalia's name may be made to the SPCA. To send a message of condolences or to sign the memorial guest book, please visit www.carnells.com.