A Celebration of Chelsea's Life was hosted on January 19, 2025 in Santa Ynez, CA.  Chelsea's mother, Lara Gottermayer, prepared the following Eulogy to be read at the event:

Today, we come together to honor and to celebrate the life of a beloved daughter, our sister, granddaughter, niece and cousin…and to so many, a deeply cherished friend.

Chelsea Bleu Williams Leeding was born on September 2nd, 1991 in San Diego, California, to Lara Williams and Doyle W. Leeding III. September 2nd was Labor Day that year…fitting that she be born on a holiday since she always possessed an air of celebration.

On that day, the #1 song in the U.S. was Bryan Adams’ “Everything I Do, I Do It For You.” Immediately, these words came to embody our feelings for Chelsea. From the very moment she was born, Chelsea was our shining star and the light of our lives.

Chelsea and her parents moved to Santa Barbara, California, before she started All Saints By The Sea Preschool in Montecito. As a toddler her personality began to shimmer through: cheerful, confident, curious, expressive, thoughtful. The first beginnings of who would become the most loving and caring person and daughter. She would later attend Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School, The Ballard School, and The Jonata Middle School.

Chelsea simply adored animals of all kinds, and over the years, she was the proud pet owner of fish, a hamster, a bunny, cats and dogs. She was fiercely protective of all the animals that she loved so dearly, and even decided at a young age to become a vegetarian. When we asked why she would not eat meat, her firm reply was that she couldn’t eat anything that once had a face. You see, around the dinner table, Chelsea would inquire about food as its original form, asking: “Is that cow, Mamma???” or pig, fish or bird and so on.

Chelsea’s father, Doyle, is a photographer and young Chelsea was his muse. Growing up in front of the camera developed into a lifelong love of modeling for pictures and taking photos…long before she became a master with Instagram. This artform also inspired her passion for the fashion industry. During high school, she lived in Los Angeles, and earned her high school diploma from the CHAMPS Charter School for the Arts. That was such a proud day! The ceremony was held at the L.A. Opera and family joined me from near and far to cheer her on. Indeed, Chelsea possessed a sharp sense of fashion, complimenting her curated looks with designer handbags and her signature Chanel Sunglasses. The interlocking “Cs” became a fitting trademark, as if like a hug from our beautiful Chelsea.

Travel energized and excited Chelsea, who always had an impressive sense of adventure. Thanks to her Uncle Lance, she was able to visit New York City on multiple occasions, Mexico’s finest beach resort, sightseeing in Paris for her “Babe’s” 70th birthday, and who could forget the magic and glamour of Lance & Grant’s wedding in Kenya? She simply never looked more radiant. Other adventures high on her list were stays at Pine Hill Ranch, visits to Chicago, Minocqua, Boston, Cape Cod, St. Louis, Las Vegas and the islands of Hawaii.

Music! Pop music and dancing brought Chelsea so much joy from a very young age. While the “Barney” song may have been an early favorite, it wasn’t long until she blossomed into a true “Belieber.” She loved listening to music, singing along, going to concerts, and a night of dancing wherever and whenever she could. In later years, she danced with a beaming “Swifty” smile on her face.

After what felt to her like an eternity, at the age of 14: a dream came true! Chelsea was now a Big Sister to Ryder, who she affectionally called Baby Ryder. She was the best big sister and cherished her little brother with all of her heart. She constantly hugged and kissed him, taking photos and sharing smiles. Later in life, they developed a kind of mutual life code…sharing advice with one another and listening to each other with care.

Like so many families, ours took on different shapes over the years. Throughout this, Chelsea could count on the trusted team of her Aunt and Uncles: Kristina, Scott, Jeff, Lance and Grant. They enriched her life with sound advice, guidance on cars, learning how to ride a horse, apartment moves, getting her first credit card, puppy tips and so much more. For their care and support, we are grateful.

For most of her life, Chelsea was a proud “California Girl,” blessed to live in San Diego, Santa Barbara, The Santa Ynez Valley and later Los Angeles and Sacramento. Her main career was in the Dental Health Industry, working for Drs. Calvin and Sonia Kim of Dental Care by Design in Santa Barbara, and later, for Dr. Lott of Sacramento Oral Surgery. She also proudly held jobs at Magic Mountain, Crushcakes, Matrix Energy Services, and finally, U.S. Bank. Wherever she worked, she became an admired colleague, organizing birthday parties and even filling in extra shifts during the pandemic. She was devoted.

During her time living in Sacramento, Chelsea became the doting owner of two dogs: a German Shepherd called Tyson and an adorable Goldendoodle called Bailey. These two dogs were her brightest companions, through thick and thin, and she showered them with the most love any dog could ask for…even proudly dubbing herself with the nickname “Dog Mom!”

In January of 2023, Chelsea, Tyson and Bailey headed north. Her car outfitted with special puppy carriers, Chelsea drove to Sisters, Oregon to live together with her grandmother, Kitty Williams, in a beautiful new lakeside home. Both ladies were ready to start a new chapter, and dreamed up fun, new adventures together. Sisters proved to be the adorable backdrop, indeed, something out of a Hallmark movie. Being a small town, Sisters welcomed them into their tight-knit and friendly community. Chelsea made new friends, explored the wilderness, cheered at the local parades, attended the famous Quilt Show and the boisterous annual Rodeo. She sipped on hot chocolate while watching the lighting of the town’s Christmas tree. Chelsea so enjoyed truly experiencing the four seasons for the first time in her life. The snow was magical for her…our phones would light up with photos and videos of her and the dogs in sheer joy watching the snow fall. She learned how to drive in the snow, and proudly bought herself a new Hyundai Kona to navigate across the snowy terrain.

Wherever she lived, whatever she was doing, Chelsea was a young woman full of spirit, full of joy. Passionate. Vivacious. She had an achingly full heart, and despite complexities in her life, she was always someone who brought light and love to all of our lives in a unique and special way. Never distant or unreachable, she had a true desire to connect with the world around her.

We are reminded of both her distinctive flair, and also her unbending strength. Challenges were met with empathy as well as her desire for our love and acceptance. Her energy, laughter, expressive face, and a sharp sense of wit were just as striking as they were loving and funny.

As we gather to say goodbye today, there is no doubt of the profound sadness that we share in her untimely passing. Yet, we also share in gratitude for the time we were blessed in being with Chelsea. And while our hearts may be experiencing grief, we know that she would want us to channel that sadness into love, to redirect the tears into hugs of support for one another.

She teaches us still the values of resilience, of kindness, of beauty, of grace. She teaches us still to look for the light when times seem dark.

That was her style, her gift, her superpower. My treasured Chelsea. I love you so. May your vibrant spirit live on in us, one and all.

Send to someone

Share this obituary with others

https://everloved.com/life-of/chelsea-williams/obituary/

Copy