Shayla “Shay” Clara Alto
October 26, 1994 – July 2, 2018

Shayla passed away at the age of 23 from a sudden, extreme hypoglycemic episode brought about by Type I (Pediatric) Diabetes while visiting her sister in Corvallis, Oregon.

Shayla was born in Arcata at Mad River Community Hospital. She attended Noah’s Ark Preschool in McKinleyville, Pacific Union Elementary School in Arcata, and the Mattole Valley Charter High School HSU campus in Arcata. She graduated from Mattole Valley as her class Valedictorian in 2013. She was admitted into the University of California, Davis where she was majoring in Animal Science. Forced by medical issues, she returned home after her freshman year and attended College of the Redwoods in continuation of her education. She planned to return to UC Davis this coming Fall to complete her Bachelor’s degree.

While attending Noah’s Ark, Shayla’s kind and quiet disposition earned her the nickname “Sweet Shayla”. Usually very quiet and reserved, she had a sharp, quick sense of humor. She took her school studies very seriously, often earning high GPA honors. Creative writing, mythology and Egyptology were some of her favorite classes. Shayla was inspired by three amazing teachers, Raelene Landry, Mary Donahue and Lance Blodgett, who mentored, guided, and fostered Shayla’s love of reading and learning.

Shayla had an array of interests and hobbies. She enjoyed playing video games, especially Pokémon GO. Reading the Harry Potter books, and contributing to Harry Potter fan fiction websites was also a favorite pass time. She loved watching all the Star Wars and Marvel Universe movies. Shayla was an avid reader and collector of Japanese comics (manga) due to her sister’s influence. She was also a collector of Breyer horses. Shayla also liked learning about the histories of royal families from around the world.

She participated in Girl Scouts, as well as both the Arcata Bottoms 4-H and Cutten 4-H groups where she specialized in equine projects. Shayla was an excellent horsewoman, riding her beloved horse Annie in several riding skill competitions on the North Coast. She was a member of the Horse Riding Team at UC Davis. She also loved dogs, especially her Grandpa DoBran’s dogs, Tippy and Patches.

She is survived by her parents Jerry and Lola, sister Sarah and brother Scott. She is also survived by her uncles and aunts: Gary Alto, Larry and Sue Alto, Mickey DoBran, Cookie Oakes, and numerous cousins.

She is preceded in death by her grandparents: Cecil and Beverly Alto; Michael and Diann DoBran; her maternal uncle-in-law, Cecil Oakes, and her paternal aunt-in-law and cousin, Lynn and Tracy Alto.

Her family would like to thank the Corvallis Police and Fire Departments for their kindness and compassion. They would also wish to thank all of the doctors, nurses and staff at The Madison Clinic for Pediatric Diabetes at University of California, San Francisco, and Dr. Robert Soper and his staff, for working so hard to give us the precious few years we were able to have Shayla in our lives.

Her family requests that memorial donations be directed to the Madison Clinic at https://makeagift.ucsf.edu. Hopefully our efforts can help cure this genetic disease.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Shay Alto’s family. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.