Larissa Jayne Debski

Larissa wants you to believe she had a black heart, and it was hard and cold like a rockstar. But we want her to be remembered the way she was to us who knew her best. The truth is, she did have a black heart - she liked dark humor and mystery and magic - but it was an iridescent black. And in the light of the love of her people, you’d see a shine of color that made you feel special to be around.

Larissa was sarcastic and feisty and full of spunk. She enjoyed cussing and hating on trends and making sacrilegious jokes - the type that’d make you bark out a laugh before realizing it’s probably not appropriate. She was a loud and proud feminist, and she liked causing trouble and questioning rules. Larissa didn’t need to be liked by everyone; that was never a priority. She knew who was important in her life and only cared that those people love and respect her.

Larissa loved animals (more than people) and was a vegetarian since birth. Her favorite animals were dogs.The term “bad dog” was an oxymoron in her mind, and you’d never convince her otherwise.

Growing up, she’d play M.A.S.H. and always hope to end up with a 7-story mansion that she’d fill with dogs - no kids allowed.

Larissa was a voracious reader and probably one of the most eclectic. She didn’t genre-judge; there’s not a type of book she wouldn’t at least give a try. She studied English in college and loved literature classes. She had a soft-spot for children’s literature (including middle-grade and YA books) and always said a good author could make anyone of any age read a children’s book and fall in love with it.

Larissa loved music. Not in the cliche, “everybody loves music” way. Larissa LOVED music. As much as she didn’t like crowds of people, she’d make an exception for concerts. She’d rarely be without her headphones, and she followed musicians and artists the way some people follow athletes online. She curated playlists based on moods and events and people; it was a passion. If you recommended something to her, she’d take it seriously (as long as it wasn’t Taylor Swift), and she said she could tell a lot about a person by what or who they listen to.

Larissa also loved movies and television. But she didn’t just watch them; she ingested them. She’d remember quotes after a single watch and names of actors and the smallest little details.

Books, movies, music… they weren’t entertainment for her; they were art. There was always a deeper meaning or a message for her. She found comfort in rewatching and rereading books not because she knew how it would end, but because it allowed her to further fall in love with the characters by catching new details in the story.

Larissa loved to argue and would debate you with a spark in her eye as she smartly worked to convince you she was right. She was competitive in all things. Things that made sense: Mario Kart

tournaments with friends, and things that didn’t: who can fit the most cheeseballs in their mouth. Even when something wasn’t naturally competitive, she’d find a way!

Her creativity knew no bounds. She sewed clothes. She wrote poetry and prose. She knitted and embroidered and beaded and made candles. It was a “why not?” attitude that drove her. She was unafraid to keep failing until she didn’t. It was never about making money or a bigger purpose other than learning to find little things to bring happiness in life.

Larissa’s thoughtfulness showed through the way she crafted moments of joy for the people she loved by giving gifts and writing notes that were always personal, never copy/paste. May she continue to inspire us all to lean into our creativity for creativity’s sake and know that nothing matters more than the people we share this life with.

Larissa will be missed dearly. She leaves behind her mother - Jo-Ann Skeffington, her father - Barry Debski, her four siblings - Garrett, Myles, Rachel, Noni, six nieces and nephews - Emmarie, Skylar, Liam, Dominic, Maya, and Sicily, and her favorite beloved fuzzy family member - Princess Willow.

If you would like to honor Larissa’s memory, in lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to The Asher House in her name.