Laila Angelica Gomes

Obituary

Laila Angelica Gomes 1971-2021

It is with profound sorrow and heartbreak that we announce the untimely death of Laila Gomes, beloved daughter, sister, aunt, niece, cousin and friend.

She is survived by her loving parents, Liddy and Lamberto Gomes, and survived by her sister Larissa, her nephew Levin, aunts, uncles, cousins and cats Tiny & Booboo.

Laila’s natural beauty, positive energy and empathetic nature left a huge impact on all those she met. Those who knew Laila, even a little, lost a shining light in their lives. She rarely forgot special occasions unless they were her own. She loved to be silly with an eagerness to laugh and made everyone around her feel special. Her presence in our lives will be truly missed.

Laila was a sweet spirit, a ready smile, a kind word and a helping hand. She took immense pride in the care she provided to her parents. She was at once gentle in spirit yet brave and determined, not one to back down from the challenges in her life – but rise up to meet them with grace and grit. She gave freely of herself, a loyal friend with a strong moral compass, she believed deeply in the power of unity to create change. The outpouring of love from her friends is a testament to her lasting and loving impact.

Deeply private, it would not be surprising to find out that Laila was also an FBI agent, and if she wasn’t, she definitely should have been. She was extraordinary, a lover of adventure and expedition, truly an athlete at heart, this was a way of life for Laila, she participated in many races, marathons, triathlons, she even owned her own kayak, she paddle boarded, and relished in the sportsmanship. Laila traveled the world from India and Europe, to Scotland and the wild landscapes of Canada, she had a curious mind and drew meaning in perceiving the world through art, wrote poignant short stories and loved to experience art with literature, visual arts, theatre, music and film. She particularly loved to explore Holland and her family heritage there, the tulip fields and Dutch pastry treats were a favorite. Her taste in music was exceptional even as a child, and she was always the most unassuming yet smartest person in the room. Laila was trilingual, speaking French fluently and some German as well, she would jump at the opportunity to communicate in other languages.

Laila attended the French immersion elementary school St-Noel Chabanel, then went on to Lawrence Park Collegiate Institute for secondary school. She was a graduate of the University Of Toronto with a double major in English and History, Laila pursued several career paths, going on to a long and fulfilling career with the Canadian Government, where she loved being a part of a team, affecting a positive influence and helping others.  Laila’s love of animals extended beyond her beloved cats, she volunteered at the Humane Society, loved going to the Zoo and was committed to wildlife and environmental conservation.

She was truly inspiring, a beautiful soul remembered with love and gone way too soon. When you think of Laila, picture those big brown eyes, those rosy cheeks, that vibrant smile and celebrate the good memories you have of her. She would have wanted it that way, to remember that life is fragile, often too short and should be lived to the fullest. Laila will live on in our hearts, in the stars in the wind and in the song whose melody brings exaltation and peace to our lives.

A final viewing and memorial service will be held at Riverside Chapel in Toronto on Thursday, May 13th at 1:00-1:30pm. Unfortunately, due to the current pandemic emergency restrictions it will be private, recorded and shared with loved ones. Cremation to immediately to follow the service.

A Celebration of Life with all her family and friends will follow at a later date, when the pandemic is over. We will play all her favorite music, eat all her favorite foods and honor the memory of her life.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Laila’s name to any of the following foundations:

The Humane Society, Terry Fox Run For Cancer, Hats for Awareness, David Suzuki Foundation, Paws for Polar Bears, The Toronto Zoo and the World Wildlife Federation.