It’s hard to express the essence of Ilmo in just a few words, as there are so many cherished memories of him and Hayzell. Whether through a simple text or an in-person meeting, Ilmo and Hayzell were everyone’s favorite couple. Losing Ilmo, such a kind and generous spirit, feels unimaginable. As I sift through old photos and messages, I smile but also long for his presence.

I met Ilmo in Oxford University, and then we all moved to California. He was the first to introduce me to Google while I was in tears at Stanford, igniting a journey I’m still on today. He offered encouragement when I doubted my place in the UXR field, always using humor to uplift those around him. There was truly no one like Ilmo. He brought joy and inspiration to our lives, and he will be profoundly missed.

I’ve attached a screenshot of one of our conversations. I was in desperate need of a participant and hoping to ask Hayzell to join me. Even though Hayzell was busy with family duties, Ilmo responded with a hilarious message that kept me smiling.

I’m sure everyone in heaven will love you just as much and will enjoy all your jokes and humor, just as we have here.

Ariel