Create your own sunshine
Chloe (or Bean/Beanie) was a beacon of warmth to all around her—an embodiment of outpouring love. She had a funny little habit she would invoke upon her loved ones: thrusting her chin into their faces and demanding a kiss, repeating the phrase between giggles, “Kiss the chin, go ahead! Kiss it!” until the second party complied.
As a kid, Bean always loved being surrounded by people. She often played with her little cousins and adored being at camp with friends and family nonstop. Destiny, Lindsay, and Darrian were a few of her closest friends and a source of great intimacy. After her passing, Darrian named her daughter Chloe in commemoration. Her siblings included Jarrett and Jaxson. She was so excited to be a big sister to Jaxson and often Face Timed him. At her core, though, she was an introvert who quietly struggled with the demands of life and work.
Chloe dreamed of attending the Pratt Institute. She could make anything into art and was always creating something beautiful from nothing—singing, painting, playing guitar and piano, picking flowers, collecting shells. The most mundane objects became treasures. She was a treasure. Listening to her sing and play guitar is a fond memory for the family.
Chlo’s mother, Elisabeth, remembers her unique ability to sleep in until the very last
minute and still somehow roll out of bed to make it to school on time. In high school, she played soccer, basketball, track, and cross country, winning the “Most Improved” award in soccer. When not on the field, Chlo was often fundraising for one of the many school clubs she was a part of. After her passing, a guidance counselor from the school reached out to Elisabeth and shared how much she loved working with Chloe, expressing admiration for her passion for art and her generous nature.
On October 28th, 2021, Beanie gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. She named her Anastasia Rose-Marie. Chloe was so excited to be a mom. She loved rocking and singing to Ana, dressing her up, taking photos and videos. She would tell her stories, talk to her, smile, and laugh. It was beautiful to watch them together. Substance use disorder isolated Chlo. She would miss family events and drift in and out of contact with loved ones. Elisabeth recalls the hardest part was saying goodbye to someone who was still living. Chloe’s spirit lives on in Anastasia. The family celebrates Chloe’s birthday with cupcakes and songs—keeping her memory alive with traditions and stories, visiting her grave often, and hanging photos of her all around the house.
She is deeply missed and endlessly loved.
Chloe’s mother, Elisabeth Murphy, provided the information for this narrative.
February 4, 2000-March 11, 2022 –Age 22
Portrait Artist: Elizabeth Jones
Narrative Writer: Livia Cohen
