About Lily
About Lily Loycano
Lilyana was a beacon of sunshine who only wanted to help others. Her smile was infectious and her giving nature and generous spirit was felt by all around her. In her 11 short years, she made a bigger impact than many do in a long lifetime.
“She was our flower child. Just carefree, didn't have a mean bone in her body.”
The Accident
On Wednesday, February 26th, 2025, Eric and Emmy Loycano were driving their four children to school.
Just before 8 a.m., at the intersection of County Road 6 and County Road 110 in Independence, an 18-year old failed to stop at a posted stop sign and struck the Loycano’s car. Both parents and all four children were rushed to the hospital with moderate to serious injuries.
Their 11-year-old daughter, Lilyana, was critically injured in the crash and was transferred to Children's Minnesota Hospital. After being on life support for two days, Lilyana tragically passed away on February 28th from her injuries.
Lily’s Gift of Life
In the days following the crash, our family faced a decision no one ever imagines making — whether to donate Lilyana’s organs. As we wrestled with that unimaginable choice, we were reminded of something Lily had written just two weeks before the accident:
“You are a star, and sometimes the brightness of a star takes millions of years to get to earth. So, my point is, if you don’t shine the brightest now, your time will come, and it’s worth the wait.”
In those words, we heard her voice — full of hope, light, and love. We knew what she would have wanted.
Through organ donation, Lily’s light continues to shine. Her heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, and pancreas were donated to five individuals whose lives were forever changed by her gift.
We share Lily’s story in partnership with LifeSource.org, to honor her legacy and to inspire others to consider the lifesaving impact of organ donation. Like lily pads connected beneath the surface, the gift of life reaches farther than we can see — bringing hope, healing, and new beginnings.
Lily’s organs went to save five other people
“She always loved to help, and she's helping so many people right now," Emmy, Lily’s Mom, said.
Lilyano Loycano Memorial Service
