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.
