Claire Jamie Mcgann

Claire Jamie McGann, age 26, of Bel Air, Maryland passed away on April 14, 2020 at her home surrounded by her family. She is the daughter of Patrick Shawn and Lisa Suzanne (Coomes) McGann. On July 14th, 1993, Jamie Kayla was born to her birthparents Jim and Susan, who then in turn, lovingly placed her into the grateful arms of Patrick and Lisa McGann. Claire Jamie McGann was adopted on November 14, 1993 and raised in love and joy with her sisters Mollie Kayla and Fiona Eun Joo McGann.

Claire was a giant of a person though she never grew more than 51 inches tall. She started her life with her family at Johns Hopkins after having undergone cranio-expansion surgery. She would go on to have more surgeries including a first time ever surgery using distractor rods in cranio-surgery, performed by Drs. Ben Carson and Craig Vander Kolk of The Johns Hopkins Hospital.

Claire used every challenge she had as a tool to overcome obstacles. She celebrated her different abilities as did her family, friends and all who knew her. She spoke volumes without ever speaking a word. Her eyes and expression told whole stories and they were all good. She loved music, dancing, long walks, sharing her hammock with a friend, the beach, baseball and partying with family and friends. But most of all, she loved her sisters Mollie and Fiona. They were devoted to each other.

She was a regular at St Margaret Church, Sunny Days, Independent Brew, Longwood Gardens and the Ripken stadium. She loved trips to Dewey Beach and road trips to Savannah, GA, Charleston, SC and Florida. She loved boys with deep voices and had a major crush on her dad, brother-in-law Mike, her uncle Tim, Father Nico, Mr. Bill and countless others that she never told her mom about.

She was a fierce advocate for an inclusive life, proudly attending Ring Factory Elem and Bel Air Middle. She graduated in the class of 2014 from Patterson Mill High School and although she was in the hospital on the day of her graduation, her dearly loved inclusion helper Alicia Baker wore her cap and gown and crossed the stage to receive her certificate. Her principal shared with all in attendance that, “Claire was born to be a teacher.” She taught us all so much about loving and accepting others. She was a pillar of courage, patience, strength and humility.

She had many nurses who helped make school possible for Claire but her dear nurse Dottie Taebling was with her from the beginning to the end. Her nurse and dear friend Mariama Fofana also shared a very deep and loving friendship to the end.

Claire had many friends but her best friend was Whitney Deng. For 17 years they have enjoyed hanging out, sleepovers and parties, dances and movies, ball games and baking and most recently facetiming. Claire’s life was made whole for having had a true friend in it. Her family is forever indebted to Whitney.

Claire was the inspiring founder of PLAY IT FORWARD, a St. Margaret monthly mission to bring parishioners and students together with our neighbors living with differing abilities. She believed, as did her family that she and her friends had many gifts and talents to share. PIF offered this opportunity through dancing, crafting and conversation. In 2018 PIF honored her with the Mayor Donald Schaefer People Helping People award, largely because of what Claire inspired in each of us.

Claire was often called an angel, a saint, and holy. She was all that and more. She knew and loved Jesus. She loved the rhythm of Sunday mass and enjoyed it all, especially the music. She somehow knew when the Hosanna Holy prayer was about to be sung and would rock back and forth in happy anticipation of it. Claire received all her sacraments and looked forward to receiving the Holy Eucharist each week. Everyone at St. Margaret’s knew Claire or knew of her. She was the perfect picture of how Jesus loved others, meeting all people right where they are – no judgement. She just loved you and trusted that you would love her right back. If you are reading this, you know you were blessed to be touched by her little, very big, important life.

Claire has many doctors to thank for the life she was able to live. Though we cannot name them all, we would like to thank the following for their dedication and respect for all life, for their love and devotion to Claire and her family.

Thank you Drs. Ben Carson and Craig Vander Kolk of Johns Hopkins Hospital, Drs. Freeman Miller, Aaron Chidekel, Charles Bean and Jose DelRosario of A. I DuPont Hospital, Wilmington, DE., and Drs. Charmaine Wright, Lynnea Duffalo, Roshni Geary, Christopher Grilli, and Jennifer LeComte of Christiana Hospital, Newark DE.

The family of Claire would like to thank the pastoral team and parish members of St Margaret Church for the decades of love, support and prayers you have wrapped around this family. We could not do life without you.

We also would like to thank Catholic Charities Adoption services for bringing our families together. It was the greatest honor of our life to be Claire’s parents.

In addition to her parents, Claire is survived by her two sisters Mollie Kayla Shrader and Fiona EunJoo McGann; brother-in-law Michael Shrader, nephew Mikey and very best friend Whitney Deng, her grandparents Albert and Ailsa McGann and Jim and Mary Riley; dear aunts and uncles Tim and Karen McGann, Jen McGann, Erin and Elliot Kleinman, Dan and Beth McGann, Megan and Tom Cumpston, Katie McGann, Kelci Allmann, John Sakson and Catherine Fitzpatrick, Sandy and David Polumbi. Donna and Mike McGill, Michelle O'Brien, Darlene and Dave Wallis, Michael Coomes, Suz Coomes and Donnie Fuqua, Sean and Stacie Coomes, Jen and Fred Hollingsworth, Katie and Jeff Hartman, Paul Hammer, Karey Vesperman and Josette Stankowitz. She is also survived by her many beloved cousins and countless friends from St. Margaret's Parish and beyond.

Claire was preceded in death by her beloved grandparents Donald Coomes, Alice McGann and Maryanne Sakson McGann; uncles Eric Coomes and Tim O'Brien; and cousin, Annie McGann Cumpston.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Claire’s name to St. Margaret Catholic Church 141 Hickory Avenue, Bel Air, MD 21014.

A memorial mass and celebration to be announced in the future.