Turning Love Into Legacy
The Cait Marie Naylor Memorial Scholarship Foundation was created by Cait’s family to honor her beautiful life and ensure that the joy, strength, creativity, and gratitude she shared continue making a difference.
At the heart of the foundation is Cait’s belief that there is always something to be thankful for. Her family wanted to transform their love for her into a lasting legacy that creates opportunities, brings people together, and offers encouragement to others.
Through educational scholarships, fundraising events, and meaningful community initiatives, the foundation carries Cait’s values forward. Every scholarship awarded, event held, and person supported becomes part of her continuing story and another way her life continues to make an impact.
More Than a Scholarship
Scholarships are at the heart of the foundation’s mission, but Cait’s legacy reaches beyond the classroom. The foundation also brings people together through fundraising events and supports meaningful initiatives that offer encouragement to individuals and families navigating cancer treatment. As the foundation grows, we hope to continue building partnerships, creating opportunities, and supporting efforts that reflect Cait’s compassion, creativity, courage, and gratitude.
Scholarships | Supporting graduating seniors from West Torrance High School as they pursue their education.
Community | Bringing people together through events that celebrate Cait’s life and sustain future scholarships.
Encouragement | Supporting select initiatives that bring care and hope to individuals and families affected by cancer.
Art With A Story
During a recent trip to Florence, Italy, the Naylor family discovered Giotti Ceramiche, a family-owned pottery studio filled with vibrant colors, beautiful designs, and generations of artistic tradition.
As they listened to the family share the history behind their work, Cait immediately came to mind. The studio’s creativity, passion, and bright artistic style reflected so much of the energy and beauty she carried.
The family selected a one-of-a-kind, hand-painted bowl featuring several details that held special meaning, including a sunflower and butterfly. The piece became a beautiful reflection of Cait’s creativity, vibrant personality, and enduring presence.
The pottery and the family behind it will be featured through select foundation events and fundraising opportunities, allowing this meaningful connection to become another part of Cait’s continuing legacy.
Meet The Board
The Cait Marie Naylor Memorial Scholarship Foundation is led by Cait’s family and a dedicated board committed to honoring her life, thoughtfully growing the foundation, and ensuring that every scholarship, event, and initiative reflects the values she carried.
Each board member contributes to the foundation’s mission of creating educational opportunities, strengthening community, and carrying Cait’s message of gratitude forward.
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Executive Director & Cait’s Dad
Hello, and thank you for visiting Cait’s Foundation website. Our family has previously sponsored two scholarships for graduating seniors from West Torrance High School to honor and build a lasting legacy for my daughter Cait. Creating this Foundation also provides an opportunity to help those who desire to continue their education and help families who may be struggling on their own pediatric cancer journey.
I am the proud father of two wonderful daughters: Reagan, who is 20, and Cait, who sadly passed away at the age of 14. As a lifelong resident of the South Bay, I spent nearly 30 years working with the Redondo Beach Police Department and earned a master’s degree in organizational leadership. After retiring in November 2023, I began a new chapter as an Administrator for the Superior Court of Los Angeles County in their Office of Public Safety. In 2025, I married Lisa, who has two sons, Connor and Matthew. I cherish countless memories of the kids growing up and spending time together. One particularly special moment was our Disney cruise to the Bahamas in 2018; both girls quickly learned the ship’s layout and could tell you exactly where every soft serve ice cream machine was!
Allow me to introduce you to the Board of Directors for the Cait Marie Naylor Memorial Scholarship Foundation:
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Chairwoman & Cait’s Mom
Dyan not only serves as the chairwoman of Cait’s Foundation, but she is also the chairwoman of the home! She is the mother of Reagan and Cait and balances her demanding career as a real estate professional for over 25-years. A lifelong South Bay resident and Cal. State Long Beach graduate, she was part of the Tri-Delta Sorority. Dyan enjoys travel, exercise, and family time. Amongst the many amazing memories Dyan holds for Cait, she especially loves the memory of spending time together with Cait in the kitchen. Cait kept a cookbook where she would rate the dishes (1-10) that she and her Mom made. Cait’s love for cooking and baking brought people together in the home.
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Board Member & Cait’s Sister
Reagan Naylor was born and raised in the South Bay where she graduated from West Torrance High School and is currently in her second year at the University of Alabama (Roll Tide). Reagan’s major is Public Health and has a minor in sales. She is a member of the Alpha Omicron Pi Sorority and was elected to the Director of Rituals position. Presently Reagan stays busy with school and related activities, however she loves going to Alabama Football games, exercising and spending time with her friends. Reagan has so many amazing memories of her sister, however she cherishes the times they would spend together on the Esplanade enjoying yogurtland and the sunset.
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Secretary
Sandy Bruce has been a longtime friend of the Naylor Family. Sandy and her two children, Savanna and Brandon, traveled multiple times with Cait and her family and celebrated many birthdays, holidays, and milestones with them. Sandy is an Alumni of the University of Southern California, is an active Real Estate Agent, mentor of new real estate licensees, and resides in the South Bay. Sandy described one of her favorite moments with Cait:
“Cait enjoyed cooking and really enjoyed baking. One of my favorite things was having her and her family come over for dinner. Cait and my daughter, Savanna, made it a common occurrence that they would plan and make the dessert together. Watching as they would work together, adjust the recipe to their liking, and proudly present the dessert for everyone was such a joy”.
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Treasurer
Tom grew up in the South Bay and moved to San Diego to pursue his bachelor’s degree at San Diego State University, later earning a master’s degree. He’s been married to his wife, Missy, for almost 25 years and they have three children: Noah, Owen, and Barbara. The Saffell family resides in Glendora, CA. Tom is a Senior Manager at Southern California Edison, where he has worked for nearly two decades. He enjoys snowboarding, family trips, and mountain biking. Tom is our family’s closest friend, and Cait fondly called him Uncle Tom-Bo.
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Board Member
Lori has known the Naylor family for more than 22 years. She was born in Torrance, Ca. is the mother of 3 and married to her husband Scott. Lori, Scott and family now live on a “hobby” farm in the State of Tennessee. Lori says one of her favorite memories of Cait was when they would spend time together, on the farm, working on craft projects. She describes those afternoons as being filled with creativity, laughter and friendship that she will always cherish.