In Memory of Lara Yarkadas

Lara was born in Istanbul on October 3, 2000, and brought joy into our lives from her very first breath. At nine months old, she moved with us to Geneva – the beginning of a life that would take her across continents. Each place added to her story, and in each one, she left a mark.

She studied at Wimbledon High School, Zurich International School, the University of Warwick, and Oxford University, where she nurtured her love of words, music, and meaning. After graduating, she worked in Zurich as a copywriter, where her kindness, humour, and thoughtfulness quickly made her beloved by colleagues and friends alike.

Lara had a brilliant mind, a sensitive soul, and a fantastic sense of humour. She constantly made us laugh – even in hospital rooms, even in the hardest moments. She had a deep love of books, music, food, and animals (especially dogs). Her piano playing was more than a talent; it was how she expressed what words couldn’t capture.

She was strong-minded and intuitive. Once she set her sights on something, there was no changing her mind – whether it was a book she loved, a cause she believed in, or her unwavering loyalty to Taylor Swift (a point of friendly debate with her sister). She loved what she loved, unapologetically.

Lara made people feel seen and understood. Her friends from all over the world have reminded us, again and again, of her generosity, her warmth, and the way she made even the toughest days feel lighter just by being herself.

We are heartbroken. But we are also deeply proud of who Lara was, and how she lived.

In her memory, we are partnering with Swiss Cancer Research, with a focus on rare and underfunded cancers. By donating, you are honouring Lara’s legacy and helping other families facing unimaginable challenges, with research that may one day offer them hope.

Lara’s life was full of beauty, purpose, and presence. Though she left us far too early, her spirit lives on in music, in books, in laughter, and in love.