A Legacy of Light: Honoring Chloe’s Love and Joy

Chloe lived just 13 short years, but in that time, she left a legacy of kindness, resilience, and joy that continues to ripple outward.

In February 2023, Chloe was diagnosed with a rare brain tumor called craniopharyngioma. Her family describes the journey from diagnosis to her passing as a whirlwind—just nine months filled with endless questions, impossible choices, and heartbreak. Even the doctors didn’t always have answers. Yet through every twist and turn, Chloe met the challenge with determination, kindness, and joy. “She always kept a smile, even through excruciating pain,” her mom, Tiffany, remembers. “She fought with determination, with kindness, with joy; no matter the situation.”

For Chloe, life was about more than her illness. She loved to create, sing, and laugh. Crafting was one of her favorite ways to express herself, whether making cards from scratch for birthdays or personal projects she proudly shared with family and friends. She loved getting her nails and hair done and enjoyed playful time with her six brothers—she was the only girl, the “princess” of the family, cherished and protected by everyone around her.

Music was her refuge. Chloe had an eclectic taste, loving everything from Neil Diamond to Ludacris to Lady Antebellum, but she especially connected with Paramore. Just nine months before her passing, she got to see them live in concert—a memory her family treasures. Reading was another passion; she loved losing herself in books of all kinds. And laughter came easily, often sparked by her brothers’ silly dance moves, her mom’s sarcasm, or giggling with friends.

Chloe also had a heart for others. Long before her diagnosis, she raised money for Seattle Children’s Hospital and made bags filled with snacks and travel-sized items to share with people experiencing homelessness. With the help of her nana, she distributed them to shelters and those living on the streets. Her compassion shone brightly, showing that even at a young age, she cared deeply about making the world better for others.

The months after Chloe’s diagnosis were grueling. She underwent surgery quickly after being diagnosed and spent much of her time in the hospital or rehab. The pace of it all left little room for routines, but her family clung to holiday traditions and birthday celebrations—always with Chloe’s handmade cards at the center. Despite their grief, Tiffany reflects on her family’s resilience with awe: “Honestly, the fact that we just kept going. Kept working, kept loving, kept sharing, kept believing.”

The family also leaned on their community, who surrounded them with meals, financial help, and compassion. “They were phenomenal,” Tiffany says. “I couldn’t have asked for anything better. They brought meals, helped raise money for Chloe’s memorial service and burial, attended grief groups with me, and kept our heads above water with their kind words.”

Chloe passed away in November 2023. For her family, the hole left behind will never close, but they’ve found ways to carry her with them. Tiffany wears her ashes in a teardrop necklace close to her heart. Photos of Chloe fill their home, and they speak of her often. On difficult days, Tiffany remembers the simple comfort of Chloe holding her hand while driving from appointment to appointment. “If I’m anxious or weary, I picture holding her hand in the car,” she says. “I can still feel it.”

Chloe would want to be remembered not for her pain but for the light she brought into every room—her sarcasm, her kindness, her joy, and her deep love for her family and friends. She taught her mom to love unconditionally and to live life regardless of other people’s opinions. She reminded her family that tomorrow is never guaranteed and that every day deserves to be lived fully.

For Tiffany, life after Chloe is filled with both sorrow and strength. “It isn’t the end,” she says of losing a child. “Life can continue and you can find peace. You can cry, mourn, study, learn, flourish, and live. That is what our children want, on earth or gone.”

Chloe’s story is one of courage, compassion, and resilience. Though her time here was far too short, her laughter, her love, and her light live on—in her family, in her community, and in everyone touched by her memory.

If you are navigating the immense grief of losing a child to a brain tumor, the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation is here for you. No matter if days, months, or years have passed since your loss, know that you are not alone. PBTF offers bereavement resources and connection with other bereaved families who truly understand the depth of your experience.