Obituary of Kira J. McClorey

On Sunday April 19th at the age of 49 Kira Jennifer McClorey (Hillidge) slipped peacefully away from us while at her family home in Wyckoff, New Jersey. Kira’s strength in standing strong and firm against breast cancer for 7 years was awe-inspiring for many. She was determined to carry on with her life, making this her story, not a cancer story and we have so many memories to treasure because of this. Kira was a wonderful wife, mother and friend to many. She leaves behind her loving husband, Rob McClorey and their two wonderful children, Jackson 9 yrs, and Isla 7 yrs. Sadly, during the C-19 Pandemic, family and friends, could only be with Kira by video call, however she was surrounded by love with messages from near and far. Kira is survived by her extended family; her mother, Gillian Hillidge of Victoria BC. Her father Ron LeVine and step-mother Micki of Mahwah, New Jersey. Her sisters and brothers Thea Lloyd, Scott Levine, Courtney Feahan and Britney Klimm, Allison Elkin and Gary Goldberger along with her Aunt Jackie McCullough, surrogate family Al & Irene Rathbone and their children Chris, Sandra and Emily. She will also be terribly missed by her mother in-law Ruth McClorey of Andover, England and sister in law Zoe McClorey. Kira was born in Toronto with the family then relocating to Victoria in British Columbia, Canada a place that she loved and was always a part of her. It was here that Kira developed a love of gymnastics and volleyball and also attended the University of Victoria attaining a BA in Psychology. Upon graduating Kira toured Europe and the Middle East, eventually living in Japan for two years where she taught English to Japanese business partners. She had developed a curiosity for other cultures and travel that would remain with her throughout her life. Kira then moved on to New York where she achieved success as an Advertising Executive before choosing to focus on her two young children after marrying Rob in 2008 and finally settling in Wyckoff, New Jersey. It was here in NYC and NJ that Kira made many wonderful friends through work, volleyball, the children and beyond. Kira was first diagnosed with breast cancer in Feb 2013 and after the initial shock vowed to not let this define her. She tackled this head on jumping into treatment and had, what we initially thought, fought this terrible disease off. Unfortunately it returned and she was diagnosed with Metastatic in Dec 2016. Again after the initial devastation and realization of what this could mean Kira moved forward. She continued to live her life and was determined to be the best person she could be, a rock of support and help for anyone that needed it. Kira was awe inspiring and the bravest person who set an example of how to not let your circumstance define who you are. She continued to be there for her family and will be forever be in our hearts. A short funeral service will be held virtually at 3pm eastern Thursday 23rd April which can be accessed at www.vpfh-fb.com, prior to the service viewing will be lived streamed 2:40 to 2:58 pm. A memorial service will follow at St Elizabeth’s in Ridgewood at a later date. In lieu of flowers we request that any donations are made to MetAvivor - Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness, Research and Support. Website: Metavivor.Org An Almost Perfect Day February 24th, 2013. The day after my birthday two days before my husband’s birthday. He was in Chicago on business, returning home the next evening. On this day, February 24, 2013, I felt like everything was coming together. My 2- year was at preschool for the morning and I was home with my 5 month old. She was such a good baby, slept well, and nursed well. I was feeling rested and that we were through the first stage of newbornness. The baby was healthy and thriving. On this morning, after dropping Jackson off at preschool, I took myself to the nail salon for a pedicure. Isla came as well and slept the whole time in her car seat. Coincidently my neighbor was there and we sat together and talked the whole time. She has older kids and was so understanding of the stage I was going through with my kids. I felt very nurtured. Later that day my closest friend, who has children the same age as mine, came over for tea and a playdate for the boys. The boys played nicely, the babies squirmed on the blanket and we were able to watch them and have a nice visit. Usually things are not so calm! My friend even took a picture of Isla and I in front of Isla’s bedroom wall mural that that I had managed to put up. It was such a happy and relaxed moment. I was feeling the warm glow of just having a birthday, receiving messages and good wishes from friends and family around the world. That evening my Dad and stepmom brought dinner over. The kids were already in bed so we had a nice leisurely conversation over Chinese take-out. We talked about my recent OBGYN appointment. I had asked my doctor about having just one more baby. I was 42, we had 2 healthy ones and were considering trying for one more. The reason I saw the doctor was a concern that I was developing mastitis in my left breast. This is an infection that can develop from nursing, is very painful and requires antibiotics. The doctor also recommended that I see the breast surgeon. I think it was necessary, but followed her instruction. The next day the breast surgeon’s office had an appointment for me. I went with the kids in their double stroller they were fast asleep. The breast surgeon was very nice. She asked me all sorts of questions, examined and when she saw the inflamed spot she just said, “Oh, oh, oh, let’s punch biopsy this. And hold off on the antibiotics until we get the results.” “Sure,” I thought without any concern. I thought it was just routine protocol. A little uncomfortable for me but the right course of action. I disdainfully relayed this doctor’s visit story over dinner with my Dad and stepmom. I’m a nursing mother. Nothing bad happens to nursing mothers. The universe protects us. Or something, right? I felt like having babies and breastfeeding were the most important things I had done with my body. I was invincible. My dad and stepmom left. I was cleaning up the kitchen. The cell phone rang. It was the breast surgeon. “Kira, sorry to call you so late, but I static, static, static.” “What, wait? I can’t hear you. You sound like you’re in a wind tunnel” “Let me get in the car. It will be quieter. OK there, listen, I normally wouldn’t call a patient with this news. You have breast cancer” “What?? Did you say breast cancer? That’s impossible. You’ve called the wrong patient. The lab results must’ve been switched.” “No. It’s true.” “I can’t believe it” “Come in tomorrow with your husband or friend and we’ll talk about this. Get a sitter for the kids” I called my dad and said in scratchy, whisper, “I have breast cancer.” And just like that, my perfect day turned into the worst news I could imagine.