Sébastien Laurent Gayraud

June 06, 1988 - May 26, 2023

Sébastien Laurent Gayraud

June 06, 1988 - May 26, 2023

Obituary

Sébastien Laurent Gayraud

(translation en français ci-dessous)

If Sébastien were writing this himself, he doubtlessly would have started with a quote from a philosopher, a joke, an expression in French, or maybe sharing a drawing or a page from the book which he was writing. Helas, it lies with those of us who loved him, but were left behind, to reminisce and remember him.

Sébastien was born on June 6, 1988 in Bellingham,Washington and left this life there unexpectedly almost exactly 35 years later. He left behind his “papa” Jean-Marcel, his “maman” Trish, his sister Laura, close friends, and his cat that so comforted him.

Sébastien lived in Bellingham for most of his life and enjoyed his youth with his friends, and studying biology and playing tennis at Sehome High School. He earned his Master’s degree in Education and his teaching certificate from Western Washington University.

He was very attached to his French heritage and France. His first language was French, and he had an incredible interest in languages, and cultures. He visited his French hometown in the Tour d’Aigues regularly to visit his grandmother, aunt and family friends.  He eventually spent two years working in France in both French and international schools. At the time of his passing he was living in downtown Bellingham where he enjoyed taxi-driving, playing Super Smash Bro., Magic the Gathering, pool with his good friends.

Sébastien had so much love to share.  You know what we mean if you are one of his friends, acquaintances, or even one of the complete strangers with whom Sébastien constantly struck up a conversation. He was always there for his friends, coworkers, companions, parents and sister when they needed him.

Words to describe Sébastien who so loved words? He was gregarious, loquacious, compassionate, imaginative, humoristic, creative, erudite–but he also had his share of being discouraged and experiencing pain. Thank you to all of you who helped him through those times.

We will be holding a celebration of life sometime this summer (2023), and will let you know when and where at a later date. Sébastien will find his final resting place with his family in France in a memorial garden we are building. In lieu of flowers, if you would like to make a final farewell gift to Sébastien, you can donate to a fund for a mature olive tree at https://gofund.me/7832cd0d 

I hope all of you who loved Sébastien can find a moment to share a happy memory of him, either on this site or elsewhere. It will comfort us. He left us too soon.

Si Sébastien l’écrivait lui-même, il aurait sans doute commencé par une citation d’un philosophe, une blague, une expression en français, ou peut-être par un dessin ou une page du livre qu’il était en train d’écrire. Hélas il nous a quitté, et il est a nous, qui l’aimaient, d’écrire nos souvenirs et remembrances de lui.

Sébastien est né le 6 juin 1988 à Bellingham, et a quitté cette vie de façon inattendue presque exactement 35 ans plus tard. Il laisse derrière lui son “papa” Jean-Marcel, sa “maman” Trish, sa sœur Laura, des amis proches, et son chat qui l’a tant réconforté.

Sébastien a vécu à Bellingham, Washington,  pendant la majeure partie de sa vie et a profité de sa jeunesse avec ses amis, aimant ses études de la biologie, et de jouer sur l’équipe de tennis à Sehome High School. Il a obtenu sa maîtrise en éducation et son certificat d’enseignement de l’université de Western Washington University. Au moment de son décès, il vivait au centre-ville de Bellingham ou il aimait conduire son taxi, joyer au Super Smash Bro., Magic the Gathering, et jouer au billard avec ses amis.

Il était très attaché à son héritage français et à la France. Sa première langue était le français et il avait un intérêt incroyable pour les langues et les cultures. Il est allé à sa ville familiale française de La Tour d’Aigues pour visiter régulièrement sa grand-mère et sa tante, ainsi que des amis de la famille. Il a en plus passé deux ans à travailler en France dans les écoles françaises et internationales.

Sébastien avait tellement d’amour à partager. Vous savez ce que nous voulons dire si vous êtes l’un de ses amis, connaissances, ou même l’un de ces parfaits inconnus avec qui Sébastien engageait constamment la conversation. Il était toujours là pour ses amis, collègues, compagnons, parents et sa sœur quand ils avaient besoin de lui.

Des mots pour décrire Sébastien qui aimait tant les mots ? Il était grégaire, loquace, compatissant, imaginatif, créatif, érudit et plein d’humour. Mais il avait aussi sa part de découragement et de douleur. Merci à tous ceux qui l’ont aidé à traverser ces moments.

Nous organiserons une célébration de sa vie cet été (2023) et nous vous ferons part  quand et où dans une date ultérieure. Sébastien trouvera sa dernière demeure avec sa famille en France dans un jardin commémoratif à aménager. Au lieu de fleurs, si vous souhaitez faire un dernier cadeau d’adieu à Sébastien, vous pouvez contribuer pour un olivier à https://gofund.me/7832cd0d

 J’espère que vous qui avez aimé Sébastien pourrez trouver un moment pour partager un souvenir heureux de lui, que ce soit sur ce site ou ailleurs. Cela nous réconfortera. Il nous a quitté trop tôt.

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13 responses to Sébastien Laurent Gayraud

  1. Two memories of Sebastien at Western Washington University stand out like bookends. The first was when he was a baby in young Trish’s tummy as she taught ESL energetically to international students, and the last as a tall, handsome ESL teacher himself in the classroom in a summer program for Spanish youth. He and Trish flashed their striking eyes at each other and seemed to communicate volumes in seconds in rapid-fire French. He had Trish’s energy and ability to command a room. But what I remember most about Sebastien is above all, how much Trish loved him. He was part of her and always will be. “i carry your heart with me (i carry it in my heart)”

  2. Brandy Kloth says:

    Sebastian was a person with a big heart…he wasn’t judgemental about someone that lived on the street. He could tell you their names, and a lot about them. He was a person, who chose to have real connections with people. He truly wore his heart on his sleeve…he always gave hugs, and loved to receive them. He was always there for you if you needed to talk. He was just a social butterfly, who enjoyed making new friends. He was a beautiful person.

  3. I was lucky enough to have Sebastian as my student at Assumption Catholic School, and his beautiful smile and kind personality never failed to brighten my day. He was a treat to have in the classroom back then, and I’m sure his own students felt the same way I did. May good memories and the joy of having Sebastián in your life bring comfort. God bless.

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