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.
Digital Guestbook
Rebecca Will
Bryan and Catherine Gibson
Our deepest condolences to Terri, Brent, and Adriana for this terrible loss. You have our most sincere sympathy. May her memory, strength of character, and legacy shine bright and may everyone honour her challenge and become an organ donor.
Clair Rankin
Terri: My deepest condolences to you and your Family.
Linda Sherlow Lowdon
Terri, please accept our deepest condolences. We cannot imagine what you are going through but know that your friends are thinking of you and praying that time will heal some of the pain.
Linda and Don
Linda and Gordon Willick
We met Larissa through Pat. Her winning smile and happy approach to life made her an easy person to know and love. She will be greatly missed at all our family gatherings.
Rest in peace.
Tim Larock
Dear Terri. What can one possibly say to you at such a time. Please know that you are in my
thoughts and prayers. Regards/Tim
Andre Mallette and family
After my kids were done diving, I've only got to see Larissa at Nepean's dive meets but each time we saw each other, I was always greeted with a big smile and kind words. She had a bubbly personnality and a love of life that was contagious to whomever got to cross her path.
For this, she will always be remembered. To Terri, Brent, Adriana, Patrick, family members and friends alike, may we extend our deepest sympathy for your loss. Our prayers are with you all.
Kind regards
Terry Procyshyn
I was very sad to hear that tragedy has struck your family. My sincere condolence. I wish you strength and courage as you struggle through the grief and sorrow of your loss.
Mary Wyard
Such a beautiful soul. My sincere condolences to Terri and her family.
Elizabeth Fraser
Dear Terri & family;
We are so saddened by the loss of Larissa...Just know that God had other plans for her... If you need a shoulder, we're just around the corner.
Hugs, Elizabeth and Ken Fraser
Larissa coached both my son and daughter. She taught them both so much more than how to fall off a diving board. My daughter learned about fancy nail polish and the extraordinary fun of being comfortable in your own skin. My son learned something only a special few could teach him; how to live with a heart defect and not let it be your most important aspect. She gave him the confidence to try anything while understanding his anxieties. All of us are so saddened by her passing. We will each hold her spirit with us as we grow and sometimes manage to be the people she would want us to be.
I thought of Larissa when I heard about the new legislation in Nova Scotia presuming consent for organ donation. Our deepest sympathies to her family and loved ones.