July 6, 2009 - Dec 27, 2023
Lila was a bright, friendly, talented person who was forward focused, never looking back. She was a spitfire with an infectious fun-loving attitude and a smile and energy that lit up the room. She had a quick wit and a great sense of humour, her expressions alone providing comic relief in a world that is much too serious. Lila was a live in the moment, look on the bright side, kind, warm hearted and gentle soul, with a seemingly tough exterior who spoke her mind yet was more sensitive than most could realize. Her friendships and relationships meant the world to her and in a million different ways she let her love be known. Whether it was a smile, hug or inside joke, a little message to lift someone up, a piece of original art, or a little gift, giving was a big part of her love language.
She enjoyed math and made honor roll throughout her school career. She loved art, creating beautiful painted landscapes, sassy anime characters, and realism in graphite and ink, winning first place in the Legion’s Remembrance Day art contest in 2020 and 2022. Her newest passion was photography, and she took every opportunity to catch the sunset in a lens.
She moved to Didsbury from Surrey, BC with her family in 2013 and loved gymnastics in Carstairs when she was little, enjoyed dance and soccer in Didsbury (great little goalie), but found her path in volleyball. She was a joy to watch in the school season and in club with her Central Alberta Wolves. Lila was a strong, fearless, expressive and enthusiastic team player who encouraged and fought for her teammates both on and off the court, no matter the cost. She treasured being the de facto team captain of her school team this past 2023 season. Her authenticity and confidence were inspiring, her kindness and warmth radiating beyond her circle to touch those who needed a little more Light in their lives. Pure sunshine to so many.
Only 14 years old, her love knew no bounds. Lila cherished her beautiful country boy Reid, and she felt loved by him in return. They left this world in an instant through a rollover, one decision about seatbelts altering eternity. We are forever grateful to his family for making her feel loved and accepted on this earth.
Lila loved and is loved by her brother Kai, parents Scott and Gwen, grandparents Frank & Zdenka Valentic and Doreen(nee Morrison) & Jim Threlfall, great uncle Ivan Valentic, aunties Stephanie Roe (Sean) and Koni Valentic, uncles Sean Morrison (Roxanne), Sean Threlfall (Lia), Danny Threlfall (Andrea), cousins Owen, Ethan, Kirsten, Paige, Kyle, Lauren, Colin, and extended family from the Valentic and Morrison clans. She is predeceased by her great grandmother Dragica Marjanovic, great aunt Ana Valentic, and uncle Terry Threlfall.
She will be deeply missed, her laughter, wit and love forever in our hearts.
With deep gratitude we give thanks for the outpouring of love and support from this amazing community of Didsbury, a place Lila was grateful to be. Special thanks to Kasandra Zimmerman and the Adams family, Erin Brodeur, Heather Fraser, Michel Larocque and Kim Scoular, Amy and Rick Kohut, Sean and Jenelle Konkin, Bonnie and Bill Papineau, Karen and Trevor Hannah, Krystal Jorgensen and Kenny Bergstrom, Crystal Solis, Pastor Colin and the amazing ladies of the Zion Evangelical Missionary Church, Prairie Rose Funeral and Cremation Services, and our Didsbury RCMP detachment. Like our Lila, your lovingkindness is a gift from God.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Wild Rose Humane Society, and adoption of these four-footed friends is even better. Share your love today, it comes back a thousand-fold.
