Kaylana Lee Ryan

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Kaylana Lee Ryan, 19, of Charlton. Kaylana passed away peacefully on February 4, 2025, at her home after a courageous lifetime living with a heart condition that had been carefully managed since she was three years old.

Kaylana is survived by her beloved parents, mother Jessica Ryan and her husband Jesse of Charlton, and father Timothy Lasell and his wife Hana of Worcester; her loving siblings, Troy Roberts, Dominic Powers-Patey, and Lucy Lasell; her dear aunts and uncles, Jennifer Daniels and her husband Adam, Crystal Falletti, Emily Lasell, Julia Johnson-Viola and her husband Michael, and John Lasell and his wife Tiffany; her cherished grandparents, Robert Ryan, Richard Lasell and his wife Shelly, Pamela Moberg and her husband Richard, Warren Johnson, and Diane Tribbett; her adored best friend Ace Delgado; and many cousins, step-family, friends, and professors. Kaylana was predeceased by her caring maternal grandmother, Leonora Ryan and great-parents Leona and Mike Lapomardo.

Born in Worcester on May 1, 2005, Kaylana was a graduate of Leicester High School class of 2023. Following graduation, she had gone on to attend Nichols College where she was a sophomore studying Communications and was the Vice President of the Nichols College Paranormal Club. She was working part-time as a game master for Breakout escape rooms, and had previously worked as a sales associate for Bri’s Sweet Treats.

“Special” was a word that is often used to describe Kaylana, but it doesn’t do her justice. Kaylana is a sparkling star in the night sky. A blazing sunset over the ocean. A gentle, warm wind. A soft wave rolling into shore. She was and is everywhere.

Kaylana truly loved everyone and was loved by everyone who met her. She was a devoted daughter who wanted nothing more than for her mother Jessica and father Timothy to be happy and healthy. She was a loving big sister who made it her mission to make her siblings, Lucy, Troy, and Dominic laugh. She was a sweet and generous granddaughter who never hesitated to entertain the quirks of her grandparents, whom she adored. She was everyone’s favorite niece and cousin, and she knew it. She was a fierce friend who was generous with her love and time. She always forgave those who hurt her, and she always stood up for those who needed protection. There was no one like Kaylana.

Kaylana was passionate about books, writing, music, art, video games, fashion, the beach, and travel. She was always reading something, consuming books at a rate that astonished her family and friends. Kaylana was also a gifted writer and had a poem published in a youth poetry anthology at age 13. At the time of her death, Kaylana was writing a series of fan fiction stories based on her favorite video game, “We Happy Few”, and she had several books in the works. She played Dungeons and Dragons with her friends regularly, something she looked forward to every week. Her favorite band was Mother Mother, and she was so happy that she was able to see them perform live twice. Kaylana’s fashion sense was unmatched: She was always changing her hair color, and she wore what made her feel good. One of her favorite activities was thrift shopping with her sister Lucy and best friend Ace. She also had dreams of starting her own gaming YouTube channel. Kaylana was a master collector of tiny things, including bottles, rubber ducks, mini brands, and funky jewelry. She loved Hello Kitty and happily spent her paychecks on anything related to Hello Kitty. She adored the ocean and always talked excitedly about returning to her family’s beach house in Marshfield, MA, which was her favorite place on earth. She loved making memories with her whole family at the beach, as well as spending time with her aunt Clara. Kaylana was passionate about human and animal rights and truly believed that everyone mattered, and that everyone should have the opportunity to be happy in this world. She was unapologetic about who she was, and her energy and smile were contagious. She was always smiling, and she could make anyone laugh with a funny noise, a silly face, or a (sometimes inappropriate) joke.

There are no words that can capture how much Kaylana will be missed. Her gentle, pure spirit and gorgeous soul are forever ingrained into the hearts of everyone who knew her. While her physical presence is no longer with us, her memory will continue to live on in everyone who ever met her. There is and never will be anyone like Kaylana Lee Ryan.

A period of calling hours will be held on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, in the Mercadante Funeral Home & Chapel, 370 Plantation Street, Worcester from 4:00p.m. to 7:00p.m. A Funeral Service will be held for Kaylana on Thursday, February 13, 2025, at 11:00a.m. in the Mercadante Funeral Home & Chapel. Attendees are encouraged to wear whatever makes them happy. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Kaylana’s memory to The Marfan Foundation.