Larisa Varela Obituary, Death – I would like to extend warm welcomes to everyone who works in the transportation industry. Please accept my regards. Larisa Varela, a former member of our team who had been killed the previous week in a collision (as a pedestrian) while on vacation in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, passed away yesterday, and the news left our entire group inconsolable. In the previous week, she had been killed in a collision (as a pedestrian) while on vacation in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Several of the projects that were carried out by our organization had Larisa serving as the leader for such endeavors.
These projects include a fresh new Transportation Demand Management strategy, the Vision Zero Action Plan, and the Franklin Boulevard Redesign project, to name a few. She began her career with our organization in 2011 as an intern for SmartTrips and Sunday Streets. Her responsibilities included research and writing. Her duties included conducting research and writing up her findings. During the period that she was working by the City of Eugene, not only did she do her duties as an employee there, but she also served as one of the city’s first Park Ambassadors. She left our organization in 2016 and began working for the Oregon Department of Transportation, where she was responsible for developing the department’s very first ever statewide Transportation Options plan.
During her time there, she was also in charge of developing a plan for alternative modes of transportation throughout Oregon. During the time that she was present, she was accountable for this. It wasn’t until 2018 that she rejoined our team, this time serving in the role of Associate Transportation Planner. In addition to having a strong interest in the field of transportation, she brought to our team a strong dedication to ensuring that all members are treated equally and are given equal opportunity. She also has a deep interest in the field of transportation. Not only did a significant number of members of our team work on projects with Larisa, but a large number of those same colleagues also regarded her as a close friend.
The news of this unimaginably awful loss has left us with shattered hearts, and we want her family and friends to know that our thoughts and prayers are with them as they go through this difficult time. We want them to know that we are thinking of them and praying for them.
