Family and friends gather to remember the life of a Collier County teen

Emotions ran high as teammates, family and friends honored a beloved Collier County teen on Wednesday. 15-year-old Cali Walters died in a crash in North Naples on Monday night.

On Wednesday, friends and family hugged and gathered to remember Cali.

“She always knew how to like light up the room and make everyone laugh,” said Avi Mauceli.

“She was very kind, she always made me laugh, and I always had a good time with her. She made other people laugh. She was very loved,” Kate Desrocher said.

“She was just like the sunshine of your day,” said Bella Stiles.

Yellow balloons soared through the air in Fort Myers during a celebration of the life of Cali Walters.

“I’m like never going to forget about her. I’ll constantly look back at memories of her,” Mauceli said.

Top Gun All-Stars Gym celebrated Cali by sharing photos, balloons, flowers and arrangements. Music was played at the celebration of life ceremony, and many people shared kind words about Cali.

“One time we were driving up to cheer, and I was not having like a really good day, and she was like the only person that day that could make me laugh,” Mauceli said.

WINK News spoke to Cali’s father, Chris, who said the Walters family is, “Deeply touched and comforted by the outpouring of support from her friends and the community. We are utterly devastated and in grief.”

On Wednesday night, her Top Gun cheerleading team came together to send up a message of everlasting love, celebrating Cali’s life and accomplishments.

“I’ll always remember her. I have so many pictures and videos with her, and I won’t ever forget her,” said Desrocher. Stiles said, “I’m never going to forget her either. I mean, she’ll be in my heart forever.”