Megan Dianne Ybarra

Megan was born on July 27, 1991, in Hayward, California, to John G. Ybarra and Michele Defillo Pagan. She grew up in Livermore, Tracy, and Manteca, California.

Megan’s life was a beautiful gift from God. Her life was a treasured miracle to her family. Born with Hypo Plastic Left Heart Syndrome, she lived physically with “half of a heart” and endured countless—as she called them “pokes,” appointments and procedures. She underwent six open-heart surgeries at Lucille Salter Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford, the first when she was only 4 weeks old and the last at age 35, just under one month ago before her passing. Through it all, Megan showed that she had the biggest, bravest, and strongest heart of all!

She strived to live fully, to live out what she believed and to keep her faith in God strong. She was passionate about her daily devotions and reading the Word of God. Megan looked forward to telling others about what God had done for her and what He could do for them.

She loved a good gospel-church choir song and believed the message of Acts 2:38 without a doubt. Her faith sustained her throughout every challenge and remained at the center of the way she lived and loved others.

Megan loved working as a paraeducator with Lodi Unified School District. To her, it wasn’t simply just a job but a mission field. Megan took pride in helping others wherever she could. No job was too big or too small; she simply wanted to be helpful and was often heard asking, “What can I do for you?” She found joy in helping her students achieve at Lodi High School. In the mornings, she loved greeting the students with an enthusiastic “GOOD MORNING!” as she helped students safely arrive as the crossing guard. She was immensely proud of each student and every accomplishment, treating each one as her own and as though they were the only person there for her to help.

Megan’s family was one of the greatest priorities of her life besides her students. She treasured birthdays, holidays and family gatherings, and she made the most of every opportunity to be together. She was always asking, “What can I bring or do?” for these moments. She loved reconnecting with those she had not seen in a while, catching up and learning what was new in each person’s life. Megan made sure the people she loved knew that they mattered to her. While her bond with her family was strong and deeply important, she also loved the many people who came into her life along the way. Her heart—and her capacity to love—were simply that big.

Megan lit up every room she entered with her main-character energy, a huge smile and contagious zeal for life. She had a gift for bringing joy and laughter, along with a bit of sarcasm and a way of making everyone feel relaxed around her. Whether she was quoting a favorite movie-- “Get the key, Ruby!” --at just the right moment, showing off her many movie lines, or joking around about everything, including her “thumb toe,” Megan knew how to make people laugh. She shared countless laughs, memes and inside jokes with her brother Aaron—many of which only the two of them understood. She also did her best to keep her younger brother Ty, in line, never missing an opportunity to boss him around with love.

Megan cherished being “May-May” to her only nephew Nehemaih Liam. Their relationship held an especially precious place in her heart, and she took great pride in being his aunt. She loved being part of his early years, making him feel special and watching him grow. She was always proud of the way he played baseball and cheered him on. Being his May May was one of her greatest joys.

She also adored her fur baby, Merida, and delighted in planning her Halloween costumes and buying her all the toys. Megan also treasured spending time with her wonderful Nana, teasing her siblings, sharing laughter with her girlfriend Kelly, and spoiling Kelly’s grandsons Enzo and Grey. She was happy Kelly had a granddaughter as well to buy all the girlie clothes for. Megan loved her nightly shows and weekend movies, swimming, trips to the ocean, eating sushi, and a good steak. She found comfort in her special “blankie” her mom made her.

Megan is survived by her parents, John G. Ybarra and Michele Defillo Pagan; her stepfather, Stuart Pagan SR; her siblings, Aaron Ybarra (Elisa Sosa), Ty Pagan (Reagan Crotts), Stuart Pagan ll (Caren Pagan), Shelbie Pagan and Sydnie Pagan; her nephew, Nehemiah Ybarra; her grandparents, Louis and Patricia Defillo, Diane Ramos, affectionately known as “Nana,” and Anne Ybarra, lovingly known as “Granny”; as well as 18 Aunts and Uncles and 30 cousins.

She was preceded in death by her grandfathers, Gilbert Ybarra and Peter Pagan; her grandmother, Lucy Pagan; and her aunt, Donna Defillo. Megan wanted to live big and experience life to the fullest—and she did. She always looked for the good in others and never missed an opportunity to share the love and faith that guided her life. Her family hopes you will celebrate the life she lived, honor the memories she leaves behind and carry with you the joy, love and unwavering faith she so freely shared.

Visitation will be held from 2- 8p.m. on Friday, September 18, 2026, at Lima Family Milpitas/Fremont Mortuary. A funeral service will be held there at 11a.m. on Saturday, September 19, 2026 followed by a graveside service at 1p.m.