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 saw the news of her passing. I wish she'd had more time on earth to pursue her passion for breath work as I know she would have helped a lot of people. Sending so much love to her family and friends <3

Mel showed me around Venice in 2017. I love this photo.

Mel's beagle friend who took to her right away :)

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 came to our home sometimes during Senior year of high-school when she dated Josh.  She was such a ray of sunshine.
Dr. Les Starnes and Sally Starnes

This is a fun clip of our saying goodbye to the schoolchildren. Melanie is in the wide brim tan hat and blue tank top enjoying the kids.

We took the train to this town and spent the night and the next day went to Machu Picchu. My daughter, Rachel, and I hung out with the Sitzer girls. It rained and we took cover at the Parisian bakery! I was lucky to catch them in this video.

Melanie was so full of joy and loved the way the children blessed us with their program. They gave us roses!

Melanie receives her blessing from the Holy Man

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.

The Sitzer sisters in Ollyantaytambo, Peru.

We visited a Peruvian school way up in the mountains and helped prepare the soil for a garden. Melanie loved the kids.

Melanie and I met during our intersession euro trip while at USD. She was genuine and adventurous, and I instantly wanted to be her friend (she also busted out very impressive dance moves one night at a bar). Our friendship blossomed after college as we both lived in LA. We would go on hikes and long walks and have deep conversations about life (there was absolutely no small talk with Melanie). I am so sorry that I hadn’t seen more of you over the last few months, but I will deeply cherish when you guided me through my first Breathwork on a beach in Malibu and the other special moments we shared. I will miss your smile, laugh, and warm presence so much. 

My deepest condolences to Melanie’s family. I know she loved you all very much.

Melanie and I met during our freshman year at USD when we both joined Gamma Phi Beta. She was authentic, intelligent, and so much fun. We bonded over our desire for deep and loyal friendships and felt an immediate connection in our friendship. I'll never forget our memories together—80's prom, dressing up for Halloween, and sorority recruitment, to name a few. I wish we had more time together and prioritized our friendship when life became busy after college. I miss her dearly and will think of her every day.

Sending love and strength to her family during this difficult time.

I wish we could have met again as grown women. 
There’s a whole decade between us that will only continue to grow.  
 
I wish we could have had the chance to remember our endless summer days riding bikes too big, creating secret forts in neighbors’ bushes as a means to escape chores, or the countless hours spent perfecting our jumps into your pool, while Leo and Lenny barked at our heels. 

We once called each other’s best friends. I played the oldies, you showed me pop. We shared the youngest sibling life, and together, we became tactful in how to use it to our advantage. Catalina Island, junior lifeguards, and school performances was our world. So much freedom, so much life. Only sunscreen and hair detangler spray could ever really tame us.

Traveling from California to Colorado in September 2022 with Melanie💛

Melanie and I met sophomore year of college & were friendly acquaintances who always gravitated toward one another in social situations. 
After college, we were both living in LA & reconnected; she was so easy to be vulnerable with, you couldn’t hide yourself with her. We always had so much fun and grew closer in recent years. 
I so loved watching her grow & heal. I always tried to show up for breath work when she led at Villa. She recently came to my bachelorette evening & I am so glad I can treasure those memories with her, having fun. I will miss our beach walks and deep talks.

May her memory be a blessing for you. Her light & love will live on in everyone she touched.

OBITUARY

Melanie Taylor Sitzer

29 October, 1991 – 18 May, 2024

Pacific View Mortuary & Memorial Park

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