Obituary of Chelsea Lynn Tavares

Tavares, Chelsea Lynn

(1972 – 2024)

Chelsea Lynn Hacking Tavares, our loving friend, daughter, sister, wife and miraculous mother passed away tragically from cardiac arrest in her home in Apollo Beach Florida on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at the age of 51 with her husband, Arthur at her side. The oldest of four, Chelsea was born to Carol Ann Hacking and George Alfred Hacking on June 12, 1972 as a beautiful dawn arose over the Wasatch Mountains of Provo, Utah. Her childhood was spent in Orem, Utah with 3 years of elementary school in Humble, Texas. Her vivacious personality left her teachers in a state of delight but always with a FEW CHALLENGING days along the way. Often, her least favorite teacher would become her favorite teacher by the end of the year and even a lifetime friend. She was always interested in connecting in an authentic way with those around her and was relentless until a mutual understanding was achieved.  She graduated from Mountain View High School in Orem, Utah in 1990 with Honors. The friends she made in High School were her best friends forever. During High School Chelsea earned a summer in France on a cultural exchange. The relationship she built with her French host family remained strong her entire life.

She served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Marseille, France from 1996-1997 which furthered her love for all things France.

She attended Dental Hygiene school in Sheridan, Wyoming and as a class favorite, was selected to offer a rousing speech at her commencement graduation. As she pursued a career as a dental Hygienist in Fort Collins, Colorado, she continued her education until she received her Bachelor of Science degree from The University of Wyoming. After practicing in Colorado, she moved back to her home state in 2007 to join the Warr Dental Practice. Chelsea was legendary for her 6^th sense to be able to feel and quell anxiety of her patients as they sat in the “dreaded Dentist Chair.” Several times a day, a patient would say; “Ohhh, I hate sitting in the dentist chair!” Chelsea would respond with her most surprised face and loudest voice; “REALLY?? I’ve NEVER had anyone tell me that before.” Her patients looked forward to their visits and were loyal to her for years, sometimes even traveling from out of state to have her treat them.

She was the glue that held her family and friends together during all the turbulent years of big life changes. She was always fun, funny and the brightest lightbulb in the room. In 2014 she met her “person” in Arthur Marcos Tavares. They were married May 21, 2018 in a beautiful garden wedding in Salt Lake City, Utah. She loved the sea and said it always nurtured her. As a certified Scuba diver, she always felt at home in and by the water. In 2020 Chelsea an Arthur fulfilled their dream of moving to the ocean where they continue to reside in Apollo Beach, Florida.  They left Utah with their U-Haul in March before the Pandemic and arrived in Florida 4 days later to face lock downs. To this point she had accomplished much in her life but there was one lifelong desire that was left unfulfilled. From the time she was a young child, she always wanted to be a mother. In 2022, at age 50, that dream was fulfilled when she miraculously carried and gave birth to her daughter.

Evian Sailor received her name from the love that Chelsea had for France and for that of the sea.  Evian is the region in the country that can be found at Évian-les-Bains, between Switzerland and France. Evian is remarkably well situated between a lake and the foothills of the mountains and is the source of the World-Famous Water.

Chelsea is survived by her husband, Arthur, her daughter Evian Sailor, her father George Alfred Hacking and Stepmother, Sydney, her mother Carol Hoglund and stepfather Bill Hoglund, her brothers Ryan (Lori), Russ (Eve), Beau (Amanda).

Funeral Services will be held on Monday, April 8 at 1:00 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Apollo Beach Ward located at 5208 12^th Street Northeast, Apollo Beach, Florida. There will be a viewing prior to the funeral at 12:00 noon at the same location. Funeral assistance is provided by Sun City Center Funeral Home located at 1851 Rickenbaker Drive, Sun City Center, FL 33573. Your generosity such as flowers & cards can be sent there.

In lieu of flowers, a college fund is being established for Evian Tavares and her future educational needs. More information on that will be published via her husband Arthur and his means of disseminating through family and friends in the upcoming days, weeks and months.