October 19, 2024
We have created this site to celebrate and honor the life of our darling Melanie Taylor Sitzer. To remember, and rejoice in, the sweet memories of our angel, Mel. Smiles, tears, laughs, stories, pictures – all of it, all of her, all of us; together, here.
With a radiant spirit and an indelible presence, Melanie Taylor Sitzer graced this world for 32 beautiful years before departing suddenly and unexpectedly. She was the beloved youngest of Tisha and Michael Sitzer’s five children—a cherished daughter, sister, aunt, and friend. Those who knew Melanie will carry her memory in their hearts forever, missing her laughter, kindness, and unwavering light every day.
Raised on Lido Isle in Newport Beach, California, Melanie’s brilliance shone early. She attended St. Andrews Pre-School, Newport Elementary, and Corona del Mar Middle and High School, excelling in academics with an exceptional aptitude for science, mathematics, history, and public speaking. Her remarkable intellect and consistently stellar test scores earned her the affectionate nickname “99.”
But Melanie was more than just an academic powerhouse—she was a force of nature. A fierce competitor on the softball field, she played an unstoppable third base, and as the fastest player on any team, she was always the go-to pinch runner. She had an innate love for the ocean, spending summers as a Newport Beach Junior Lifeguard, sailing in the Lido Isle Junior Sailing Program, or cruising to Catalina with her family aboard their beloved sailboat, Sitzhavn…
I felt connected to Melanie from the time I met her a few years ago. When she moved to Topanga we saw each other a few times and she guided me through a powerful breath work session among talks about spirituality, energy healing, and more. My heart broke when I
Mel’s beagle friend who took to her right away 🙂 Mel showed me around Venice in 2017. I love this photo.
Dear Sitzer family, We are saddened at the news of Melanie. Our son, Josh Starnes, told us about her passing. Our hearts are heavy and our condolences go out to you. She was beautiful inside and out and was adored by all who knew her. We knew her because she
I met the Sitzer sisters on a Ra Yoga retreat to Peru in November 2017. We became fast friends. This was taken the day before we went to Machu Picchu. We visited a Peruvian school way up in the mountains and helped prepare the soil for a garden. Melanie loved
Our sweet mel — at a total loss for words. You will be missed so immensely.