Life Stories
Lara Mari Yarkadas
Lara Mari Yarkadas (2022 MSt English 1550-1700) died on 31 March 2025 aged 24.
Lara Mari passed away at the age of 24, after facing a 6-month battle with cancer. A Keble alumna and beloved member of the college community, Lara is remembered for her deep intellect and gentleness with which she approached the world. Born in Istanbul and raised across five countries, Lara took pieces from everywhere she went, giving her a remarkable linguistic ability and unique cultural sensitivity that made her both perceptive and thoughtful. She was fluent in many languages, yet found her love for English literature. At Keble, Lara completed her Master of Studies in English (1550-1700) in 2023. Afterwards, she moved back to Zurich and worked as a copywriter for Salz & Water for one and a half years. Lara faced her illness with extraordinary strength and a keen sense of humor. She continued to read, play the piano, and crack jokes until the very end. Losing Lara is a profound loss. But she will be remembered through the pages she read, the songs she played, and her unmatched admiration of Taylor Swift.
Kindly provided by her sister, Selin Yarkadas