Claire Alyse Tanney

Claire was dressed as Princess Belle, crown, gloves, jewels and all for her fifth birthday party. Her dad had to sit with her because she wouldn’t quit talking long enough to hear a story. My bug turned five on June 20, 2019.

So full of life and spunk. She was all knees, elbows and wiggles. Bounding across the room yelling, “Cannonball!” before diving into your lap, being sure to hit all the vital organs. She once declared her half of my bed was in the middle, and she made good on that statement.

She wasn’t like the other kids, Claire wanted to be a baker and her favorite part about school was stickers and friends. She was an artist. There was never a time where she wouldn’t be happy coloring, painting or being artistic. She loved to sing and dance. Almost every video I have is of her singing and dancing or playing an instrument.

Claire was strong and independent but had the sweetest heart and kindest soul. Claire loved to share her toys with others. My little Claire Bear loved the water, nature and the woods. We often came home with my bag weighed down with treasures (rocks, leaves, sticks). Lately, she’s picked up the hobby of painting rocks to display in our front yard.

I saw a statue about a year ago of a little girl standing on top of the world. That was Claire. Claire had never met a stranger. She would decide whether or not she liked you, and that was that. I would joke that I was just trying my best to give her morals and values so she would run a company and not a prison gang. We all knew she would be in charge of something important. She made an impression on people in passing and they remembered her.

Claire loved salad, and thought calamari and seaweed were delicious. She loved to help me bake even though she didn’t eat much after it was baked. She loved chocolate. The more chocolate layers the better.

If you asked her what her favorite color was she would tell you, “the rainbow.” She loved them all. She wanted to be cuddled and kissed constantly. “Uppy me mommy, uppy me”. Lately, it was a surprise as to whether or not she would give me a kiss or lick my face at the last second.

A friend told me that some souls aren’t meant to be here a long time. Maybe the world just wasn’t ready for my baby girl. There’s one thing that is for sure, she taught love by living it every day.

On June 28, Claire Alyse Tanney was with her father on Redfish Lake in Idaho. She spent her last morning surrounded by nature on the water. She passed from this world on June 29th at 1:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 29.

She took a piece of my heart and soul with her to keep until we meet again.

I love you baby.

A celebration of life will be held in Prineville Oregon on July 9.