Tributes flow as 'unrelentingly kind' youth worker dies

Tributes flowed on Wednesday following the death of a youth worker after an illness of a few weeks.

Laura Rio, 30, who worked at Aġenzija Żgħażagħ, passed away late on Tuesday.

Her mother, Nathalie Mizzi, said she was "full of life and love, always caring about everyone around her."

The University's Youth Community and Migration Studies Department said it was shocked and saddened by the news.

"We all have such happy memories of Laura, and we are all better people for having known her. Beautiful inside and out, Laura we love you and will miss you. Fly high sweet heart xx," the department said in a Facebook post.

Professor for the Faculty of Wellbeing Andrew Azzopardi said Laura was perhaps his favourite student.

"You transformed your vulnerabilities into strengths − a lateral thinker par excellence. I remember every conversation we shared − your passion to change the world, your fierce commitment to lift those who had fallen by the wayside, your crazy fashion…You journeyed through troubled waters with a quiet conviction that you would make it to the other side − and even then, you never hesitated to reach out a hand to others along the way. That was you: courageous, intelligent, compassionate, and unrelentingly kind. Beautiful, inside and out. Wild, fun, complex − yet disarmingly simple. Above all, genuine." 

Tributes flowed for Laura Rio on Wednesday. Photo: Aġenzija Żgħażagħ/Facebook.

Among many other tributes by friends a colleagues, a doctor and friend at Mater Dei Hospital said he was grateful for the three weeks he spent getting to know her better.

"It was you who would give me the support and enthusiasm to go on with my day.... your character and strength even in the toughest of times had such a strong impact on your family and on myself and I am sure it will live on through us all."

She was the very embodiment of what it means to give voice to youth

Aġenzija Żgħażagħ said it was heartbroken by Laura's death.

"Laura’s vibrance, energy, and radiant spirit touched everyone around her. With passion and boundless love, she dedicated herself wholeheartedly to the young people she worked with, always striving to empower and uplift them. She was the very embodiment of what it means to give voice to youth, to truly listen, to believe in them, and to walk alongside them with purpose and compassion," the agency said, adding that her legacy would live on in the lives she touched.  

The funeral mass will be held on Saturday at 9am at Attard Parish Church. A fundraiser has been launched in Laura’s memory for Puttinu Cares.