William (Liam) David Lynch

William (Liam) David Lynch, most recently known as Lila Valentine Ekblad, passed away on March 9, 2026, at her home in Los Angeles, California. She was 32 years old.

Liam was born on August 14, 1993, in Oakville, Ontario, and spent most of her life in Saratoga Springs, New York. She graduated from Saratoga Springs High School in 2012 before attending Cornell University, where she earned both a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Engineering in Civil and Environmental Engineering.

She later pursued doctoral studies in Environmental Engineering at the University of California, Davis, focusing on water resources systems. Her research reflected her deep commitment to applying emerging technologies to the improvement of water infrastructure management in a changing climate. Liam’s work was widely respected within her field, including a publication in Water Resources Research and presentations at major scientific conferences. Throughout her academic career, she was a dedicated educator and mentor, serving as an instructor at UC Davis and as a lecturer at California State University, Long Beach, where she took great pride in supporting and guiding her students.

Liam had a lifelong love of the outdoors. She enjoyed skiing, hiking in the Adirondacks, and spending time in nature. An involved member of the Boy Scouts, she earned the rank of Eagle Scout. Her Eagle Scout project embodied the leadership and generosity that defined her character: she organized fundraising efforts and rallied volunteers to create a mural at the Saratoga Springs YMCA, leaving a lasting mark on the community she cherished. She extended that impact through multiple summers on staff at Camp Wakpominee, where she encouraged the next generation to explore the outdoors. She also possessed a creative spirit as an accomplished musician and avid reader.

In her final years, Liam embraced one of the most courageous journeys a person can undertake. She came to understand that she was a woman and began her transition, taking the name Lila Valentine Ekblad. While the path was not without challenges, it brought her a profound sense of authenticity and peace.

Lila is survived by her grandparents, David and Mary Ann Ekblad; her parents, Tracy and Joseph; her brother Timothy and his wife Claire and their children, Keira and Brendan; her brother Maxwell and his partner Natalie; and a loving extended family of cousins, aunts, and uncles.

A private service will be held to celebrate her life. In sharing Lila’s story, the family hopes that anyone struggling with mental health challenges will realize they are not alone and find the courage to reach out and seek the support they deserve.