In Loving Memory of Clare True

1980 – 2006

Clare Mayo True passed away Dec. 24, 2006, at North Kansas City Hospital of complications from her seizure disorder. Preceding her in death were her sister Lydia Doll True, her maternal grandparents Raymond and Mary Clare Doll, and her paternal grandparents Joseph and Mahala True. Survivors include her parents Dr. and Mrs. James and Jane True, her brothers Tobias True and Tyler True, four aunts, four uncles, and 12 cousins.

With her innate grace, confidence and uncanny wit, Clare made countless close friends around the world, especially in Kansas City, Kentucky, Chicago, Ireland, and Italy. Clare was a member of St. Charles Parish, where she participated in the music ministry, singing with the choir. She participated in the SPRED Program at St. Charles and St. Andrews parishes. As a Girl Scout, Clare enjoyed numerous camping experiences. She was especially proud of earning her Rappelling Badge. She attended Juliet Lowe Camp and Camp Courageous of Iowa for several seasons. Clare graduated from North Kansas City High School in 2001, where she lettered in vocal music. She studied vocal music and performed in recitals at Ibsen Dance Studio for several years. Clare was an honorary member of The Garden Club. For most of her life, Clare was an athlete at Kansas City Gymnastics School. She was an active participant in Missouri Special Olympics Gymnastics for many years. She won a gold medal with her swim relay team at the Missouri State Competition in 2003 and opened the Heartland Special Olympics Winter Games in 1999 singing the National Anthem. Clare won a number of medals in downhill skiing, including a gold in the Giant Slalom. She loved skiing with the Kansas City Ski Club at Snow Creek, and also with her family at Snowbird, Utah, and Whistler, BC. Clare participated in the Special Olympics Kentucky State Equestrian competition at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Ky., in Oct., 2006. She also participated in Missouri Special Olympics track, softball, and basketball competitions over the years. After graduating from high school, Clare worked for two years at Certified Safety Manufacturing. For the last 3 years, Clare has been a student at Stewart Home School in Frankfort, Ky., where she continued her education, performed with the choir, and starred in the annual Family Weekend Revue.

One of the earliest children to be diagnosed with chromosome 15q duplication syndrome, Clare has been an inspiration to many families around the world who have children sharing this condition. She considered the members of IDEAS, the support group for her genetic condition, to be her family. Her cell line was crucial in helping geneticists understand a critical region of the 15th chromosome and contributed to the mapping of the human genome. Studies of her neural tissue after death will help to advance scientific understanding of the human brain, especially autism and seizure disorders. In addition to her organ donations to the Midwest Organ Bank, her neural tissue will be available for study through the Autism Tissue Program.