Layla Suzanne Ryan

I met her back in 1998 in West Chicago high school from an exchange program I did back then from Costa Rica.
She was extremely sweet and I fell in love with her, I still have pictures and letters she wrote to me. She was my first love.
2019 and I still think in Layla.

What a wonderful person.

Oh how I will miss manicures and pedicures with my buddy -- compliments of Al's credit card. *smile* I can still hear that sweet voice saying, "Hey Sunny! How are you doing? I don't really need to talk to my dad, I just wanted to say 'hey'... By the way, is my dad there and is he okay?" Such a pretty face and a pretty smile. I'm going to miss all the boyfriend and school (astronomy) stories. My heart holds you forever dear...

I think a popular '60's or '70's song begins, "Where do I begin, to tell the story of how great a love can be?" ~ As Layla's aunt, having a "front row seat" to my brother's absolute and unabashed fatherly "love affair" with his two daughters, was something to behold. Layla, the youngest, came into our lives, radiant, with the most beautiful smile and sweetest spirit. I remember our family commenting on what a happy baby she was! She liked music. She enjoyed food. (I once turned around just...

It's
hard to know where to start when you know that coming to terms with
your daughter's death is logically likely to happen, but emotionally is just an impossible consideration. My only commfort these days is in
remembering all of the times we were together. I remember for example when she called me about an impossible problem of plotting a trajectory
for a rocket to some outer solar system planet, and having to slingshot
around a couple of planets over an 8 year period. And...

I was a friend and classmate of Layla's back at the U of I. She was a great person and friend.

My two favorite memories of our friendship are watching the Geminid meteor shower when it was 16 degrees during finals week, and seeing Phantom of the Opera together in NYC.

I remember how happy she was during those times and it is so sad that we lost her. I will always think of her fondly. My sincerest condolences to her family.

I'd known Layla for four years--we roomed together for a semester. We certainly had our ups and downs, but I will always remember these her for these things: She always had the right answer when I was stumped on a Crossword Puzzle question. The mischevious sparkle in her eye when she smiled. The way she would start dancing for no reason. Her willingness to try anything new. How delicate her hands looked delicate when they were wrapped around a camera.

A long time ago, I framed one of...

My prayers and condolences go out to all members of Layla's family. She was obviously a remarkable young woman.

Layla and I worked together at the Office in Urbana. We became good friends this past summer and I will miss her dearly. She lit up the room with her smile, warmed hearts with her laugh, and I will always remember what a great friend she was to me! I love you Layla!