Claire Lynn Almas
February 16, 2025 - March 2, 2025
It is with heartfelt sadness that we announce both the birth and passing of our sweet girl, Claire Lynn Almas. On February 16, 2025 at 6:30pm, Claire bravely entered the world on her own terms, 15 weeks early.
Beloved daughter of Michael and Sydney Almas (nee Smith) of Hagersville.
During her time in the NICU at McMaster Children’s Hospital, Claire was often described as feisty by her nurses. She loved to squeeze her parent’s fingers, sleep on her tummy, and listen intently to the voices of her family. She had her mommy’s nose and lips, daddy’s toes, and a head of hair that undoubtedly would have turned into beautiful curls.
Despite being so tiny, our girl put up a strong fight. Ultimately, she was too tired, and Claire passed peacefully in the arms of her loving parents on the afternoon of March 2, 2025.
During her short life, Claire was loved unconditionally. She will be deeply missed by her grandparents Johnny and Sharon Almas, Kelly Smith and Don Heaslip, Trevor Smith and Bev Wydysz. Always remembered by her aunties and uncles, Emma and Luke, Becky and Brad, Trevor, Mikayla, Tyler and Amy, Zac and Emily, Adam and McKenna, and Avery. Tie breaker and cousin #5 on both sides of her family, Claire’s absence will be felt by her big cousins Josie and Johnny, Brooks and Millie, Blake, Sullivan and Sonny, and Brynlee. Claire will also be missed by her many great grandparents, great aunts and uncles, honorary aunties and uncles, extended family and friends, and of course, her fur sister Ivy, who would have loved and protected her fiercely.
Mommy and Daddy would like to extend our most sincere thanks to everybody who helped us through this journey, kept mommy safe, and provided wonderful care for Claire.
To our midwives at Midwives of Brant, Heather Pittman and Michelle Moore-West. Thank you for your love, compassion, and ongoing support.
Our lovely nurses from the 4B antenatal ward - Amelia, Vicky, Jessi, Amy, and countless others who supported our journey before Claire’s arrival.
Both the L&D and MFM teams, especially Dr. Sapna Sharma, every single nurse we crossed paths with in labour and delivery, and Auntie Emma for making sure we always got the VIP treatment every time we needed help.
Claire’s favourite NICU nurses - Farheen, Shauna, Bronwyn, Victoria, Lindsay, Luke, and Cat, and every person we met from the RT team. We are so lucky that Claire had you by her side during the times we couldn’t be.
Extra special thank you for taking such good care of our girl, Dr. Edward Pugh, Dr. Karen Thomas, and especially Dr. Hamdi Najjar - who has the absolute best bedside manner and always went above and beyond to make sure Claire was comfortable and we were supported and cared for. Thank you Hamdi.
Thank you to RHB Anderson Funeral Homes Ltd for their care in this delicate situation. In lieu of flowers, donations in Claire’s memory to Ronald McDonald House Charities South Central Ontario (https://www.rmhcsco.ca/site/donate) or McMaster Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (https://www.hamiltonhealth.ca/donatememorial) would be greatly appreciated by the family.
We will come find you baby girl, sometime, somewhere. We will find you. To the moon and back, and more than that. All our love, Mama and Daddy.