My sister-in-law studied costume design at VCU. I can’t remember a time when she didn’t have some costume she was making for her kids or her siblings’ kids. Each year, my in-laws plan a birthday party for my father-in-law. Claire instigates the theme and then carries them to perfect execution, including one year her brother attached okra “horns” as he floated about the party as Puck.

There is so much more I can say about her. But I won’t be able to tell her. One of the most creative people I know, she died last night. She was diagnosed with colon cancer less than two years ago.

I will miss her creativity, her smile, her laughter and her costumes.

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