Suddenly, on April 2, in the evening, Larissa left us in as dramatic a fashion as she lived her life. She leaves behind her parents, Terri Tomchyshyn and Brent Taylor, her sister Adriana, and her love Patrick Caines. She will be missed by aunts, uncles and cousins in Nova Scotia, Manitoba, Alberta, British Columbia, Missouri and Massachusetts. Her two favourite pups, Chance and Mischief will also feel her absence.

Larissa attended Banting Alternative High School and Algonquin College where she studied Office Administration. As a young girl and teen Larissa was a dancer enjoying tap, jazz and especially hip hop at Miss Pat’s Classical Dance Academy. She was also a springboard diver with the Nepean Ottawa Diving Club. When her interest in competitions waned, her coach asked her to try coaching. She was a natural and has coached many kids throughout the rest of her life. She saw many of her divers become competitive and successful in their diving careers. She was proud of all of them and they were inspired by her to do well.

Larissa never wanted to be defined by the life changing circumstance of her heart transplant. It did however, dramatically change her attitude and her knowing the precious gift she had been handed. She lived her life to the fullest- loudly, unapologetically, brashly, usually with a bright smile to be shared with anyone in her sphere. She inspired so many people with her story and her positive attitude in any situation.

She was all-in, all the time, loyal to a fault with those with whom she claimed a friendship; and they were in the hundreds. She would be protective, critical, helpful and empathetic. She had no regrets. Her legacy is her sparkling smile, and positive nature to always keep going with stubborn certainty that everything will work out as it should. Larissa would expect everyone to be an organ donor. She has paid it forward by donating her eyes, tissue and bones. This, too, is her legacy.

Friends and Family are invited to Beechwood National Memorial Centre, 280 Beechwood Avenue, on Sunday, April 7th from 5 to 7:00 PM. A Prayer Service Vigil- Ukrainian Panachyda will take place in the Sacred Space of Beechwood at 7:00PM. A Funeral Liturgy will be held at St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Shrine, 952 Green Valley Crescent, on Monday, April 8th at 10:00 AM.

In lieu of flowers, please donate in her name to the University of Ottawa Heart Institute.