Nathaniel Ouyang Gillette, of Chicago, Illinois, was born in Little Rock, Arkansas on December 14, 1995.

Nathaniel was an artist, musician, and deep thinker. He graduated from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and went on to receive his Master of Architecture from the University of Illinois at Chicago. He approached life with intellectual curiosity, creativity, and an open heart.

He was known for his extraordinary kindness, his quiet brilliance, and his love for the natural world. Nathaniel found joy in photography, playing electric bass, working on jigsaw puzzles, metalworking, spending time with Olive, their cats and ducks, and eating all things gluten. He noticed beauty in small details that others often overlooked.

While Nathaniel left the world sooner than anyone would have ever imagined, he left a lasting impact on everyone who loved him — and there were so very many who loved him.

We are raising funds to support his wife, Olive, during this unimaginable time. Olive hopes to lay Nathaniel to rest at Graceland Cemetery in Uptown (Chicago), so that friends and family will have a peaceful place to visit him, reflect, and feel close to him in the years to come. Burial and memorial expenses are significant, and we want to ease this financial burden so she can focus on grieving and healing.

If you are able to contribute, any amount will help. If you cannot donate, please consider sharing this page and keeping Olive and all who loved Nathaniel in your thoughts.

Thank you for helping us honor Nathaniel’s life and support Olive through this profound loss.