KAYLA LIBBY, 1991-2012

Whether practicing gymnastics, tutoring elementary-aged children or looking out for her sisters in the Alpha Omicron Pi sorority, Michaella "Kayla" Libby poured her heart into everything she did, friends and relatives said.

"She was pretty adventurous," said Ben, Libby's older brother, who attends Michigan State University College of Law in East Lansing, Mich. "She was just overall a good person. She basically wanted to help everyone around her."

Libby, 20, of Hudson, Mass., died unexpectedly on Jan. 21 at Marlborough Hospital in Massachusetts. The family said they are still waiting on results from the autopsy to determine the cause of death.

Born Nov. 7, 1991, the sophomore public health major graduated as an honor roll student from Hudson High School in Massachusetts where she kept busy on the school's gymnastics, track and field and hockey teams.

And when she came to the university, she continued to stay active as assistant to her sorority's Vice President of Academics and an Ambassador for Public Health, where she did outreach to prospective students for the public health school. Friends said when she wasn't hitting the gym to practice her gymnastics, she was burying herself in her studies and keeping her grades up.

Hundreds of students gathered at a candlelight vigil for Libby at the AOPi house Tuesday evening, where several friends recounted memories when Libby went the extra mile for them — from staying up to help one friend complete her class schedule to slipping a loving message under another sister's door in the thick of a rough day.

"She always thought about other people first," said friend and sophomore journalism and psychology major Brittany Sullivan, who recalled how Libby would walk her home at 2 a.m.to ensure she arrived safely.

But if there was one thing Libby was most passionate about, friends and family said, it was helping others.

She was actively involved with Kids Power Tutoring and Students Helping Honduras — an organization aiding underprivileged Honduran children. Several friends recalled how on Halloween Libby made goodie bags for all the children she tutored because she was afraid they would not get enough candy otherwise.

But even with such a busy, fast-paced life, friends said Libby always made time for them.

Sophomore psychology major Stefanie Sequeira, Libby's roommate and sorority sister, recalled one instance when she came home to the AOPi house in the middle of the night with her eyes swollen shut from an allergic reaction. She said Libby ran over to CVS Pharmacy to buy her some Benadryl and then drove her to the only urgent care center that was open.

"She was the most selfless person I ever met. She would really do anything for anyone," Sequeira said. "She would stay up all night on the phone with a friend. She was so sweet and always smiling."

Ben Libby said his sister's selfless spirit also shined within their family. He recalled her coming down to watch him play football at his university in Michigan and spending summers jet-skiing with her in Cape Cod, Mass.

"She was just a rock for our family," Libby said. "You could always count on her to help you out and have your back and everything. She'll be missed greatly."

And no matter what she did, friends and family said Kayla Libby went after it with her whole heart and a smile on her face.

"She always told us to make the most of every day," Sequeira said.

Libby is survived by her parents, Martin and Erin (Walsh) Libby of Hudson; and two brothers, Ben and younger brother Nick, who attends community college in Massachusetts.

villanueva@umdbk.com