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Mother killed in Genito Road crash will be buried in wedding dress

Posted at 7:35 PM, Feb 23, 2015
and last updated 2015-02-23 19:56:04-05

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. -- Donations are pouring in for a beloved mother of three who was killed in a car wreck Saturday afternoon.

Loved ones who have been struggling through these last few days said they are grateful for the community's generosity.

In the first few days after Natali Castellanos-Tyler's tragic death, nearly $9,000 have been donated online. And now donations are also being accepted at all area Wells Fargo locations.

CBS 6 News spoke with the woman's family, who said that these past few days have been extremely difficult.

Craig Tyler

Craig Tyler

Natali's husband, Craig Tyler, said that the two children they shared are keeping him going.

"They help push me through each day," Tyler said.

Tyler explained that his wife was on her way home from a birthday party and just a few miles from her home when she crashed her SUV on Genito Road. Their two-year-old daughter was in the back seat.

"She was in the car. The car was totaled and she's fine. She has no scratches. It's like the angels were there," Tyler said.

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Janet Tyler, Craig's mother, said the family is relying on faith and each other to get through this difficult time, but they want the world to know how special Natali was to so many.

A native of El Salvador, Natali had only one relative, a sister, who lived in the US. Her husband said that Natalie's mother arrived from El Salvador on Sunday. That's where Natali also has a nine-year-old son who celebrated a birthday just days after she passed away.

Tyler said he and his wife were married nearly three years ago, but never had a formal wedding ceremony. The two were planning a ceremony in July and had planned to take a honeymoon, too.

The day that their wedding invitations arrived in the mail, Janet Tyler said her daughter-in-law was killed.

Now, the gown that Natali would have worn at their wedding, will be the one she wears at her memorial service.

Wedding

Wedding Dress

"We all agree that we wanted her to be buried in it, so everybody can see how beautiful she is," Tyler said.

A viewing for Castellanos-Tyler will be held at the Bliley Funeral Home on Hull Street Road Thursday at 1 p.m.  A memorial service will follow at 2 p.m.

Anyone wishing to make a donation to the Natali Castellanos-Tyler memorial fund can stop by any area Wells Fargo bank or donate online.

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RELATED: Chesterfield man comforts toddler after fatal wreck