Liliana "Lili" (Huettlinger) Jurek

I worked with Lili at the dog daycare, I knew when I met her she was going places. I won't forget her energy and charm, what an incredible woman

Lili was sunshine. I'm heartbroken that we all have to experience a world without her laugh. Sending a tight hug to everyone feeling her loss.

First memory I can think of is when Lili needed a friend after some of her other friends were doing her dirty. She spilled the tea with me at the dorms dining hall and from then on we began hanging out more growing closer over time. Many fond memories come from late night study sessions with lili, including one when we were up super late, making dinner, writing papers, and dropping off the stuff of a boy who ghosted me. She also filled my car with premium gas. She was there for me thru some hard times and I´ll miss her immensely

Growing up with Lili was pure fun. Her sass, confidence and laughter rubbed off on me, which is probably one of the reasons I´m a self-assured and confident woman now. Spending weekends at her house on Sunnyside Ave are some of the more rambunctious and silly memories from my childhood. Playing dress up, running around her backyard, messing about in Merb´s home salon, and gossiping about whatever tween girls gossip about. We would get into whatever trouble we could find, like watching R rated movies we definitely shouldn´t have at that age. We´d snatch up whatever snack we could quickly grab on our way through the kitchen, one afternoon I swear we finished four packages of tinned mussels and nothing else. We would gather odd herbs and plants and make giant colorful potions in the bathtub, and hell why not throw in a few teabags and drink the whole thing directly from a straw? (In hindsight, that´s gross I know ) We were imaginative, a little naught, and very very joyful.

The last time I saw Lili was in October when she braved the California traffic to come meet me in San Diego. Seeing her made my heart so full, and although her body had clearly been through the wringer, her soul was strong as ever. Shining so bright it rivaled the Golden State sun itself. I´ll always cherish that last sunset we saw together, and last last tight tight hug we both never wanted to let go of. Love you Lili, I know you are spreading your smile and ferocity wherever the afterlife has brought you.

Sending big hugs and love to Merb, Gunther and the rest of the family

Backstage at all the shows at spa just talking and having heart to hearts. At one of my low points she helped me through and told me I was worth all the time, love, and affection in the world and Lili you are worth all that too and so much more.

One time Lili was in Salt Lake and we went to grab brunch. We were reminiscing about our childhood. We talked about one time, when we were little, I was going to sleep over at her house. I remember the day vividly. It was back when Merb had her salon in her basement. We were eating the hard life saver candies and then all of a sudden I was choking! Lili was so quick that she started giving me the Heimlich. The life saver didn´t come up but it was just uncomfortable because it was stuck in my throat. My dad came to pick me up and I went home. Fast forward to our brunch Lili was telling me she was upset with me because I never slept over. I thought that was hilarious because I had no clue she was upset with me for leaving. If I could go back I definitely would have stayed for the sleepover. I will always cherish the moments I spent with Lili!