It is with immense sadness we announce, Lainey Annalyn McClenon passed in the loving arms of her parents on Oct. 2, 2024 at Strong Memorial Hospital after a 20 week battle with congenital heart disease.
Lainey was born on May 16, 2024, to parents David and Michaela McClenon.
Lainey spent almost her entire life in hospitals. Although she was small, there was nothing small about her personality. Lainey had an inner fight and strength like nothing most have ever seen. She had eyes that could melt your heart to pieces and smiles so big they could light up any room. With those beautiful eyes and smile she also had the sass that came with her red hair, and looks so expressive you always knew exactly what she was thinking or feeling. Lainey was often referred to as the PICU Princess or their Drama Queen and was almost always found with a big bow on her head (or around her eyes when she was ready for a nap), and with her fists up ready to go.
Even though Lainey’s time here was short, the impact she made was massive. Our beautiful, sassy, and resilient red-haired and big blue-eyed girl will live on forever through our memory.
Lainey is survived by her grandparents Mike and Sheri Kinsella, Walt (Jennifer Caffery) McClenon, and Rhonda McClenon; her great-great grandparents Charles and Evelyn Emerson, and Ralph Merwin; her aunts and uncles Kailey and Billy Barse, Victoria and Sam Wood, and Molly (Aidan Hafele) McClenon; and her cousins Braxton and Ryker Wood, Brayleigh and Kinsley Barse.
She was predeceased by her maternal great grandparents, William and Barbara Kinsella, and paternal great-grandparents Pam Merwin and Olin and Jean McClenon.
The family would like to thank all of the medical staff that cared for her throughout her short time here with us, especially the Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital Pediatric ICU. Most of Lainey’s life was spent on 12F, where the care she received was incredible, to say the least. The 12F family became our family and we appreciate you all more than you will ever know.
We would also like to thank the Pediatric Cardiology Associates at Crouse for being there for us from the start of Lainey’s Journey.
Calling hours will be held on Friday, Oct. 11 from 4 -7 p.m. at C.H. Landers Funeral Home, Sidney. There will be a private funeral service and burial for close family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, we ask that donations be made in Lainey’s memory to the Ronald McDonald House of Central New York: apps.rmhcny.org/donate-now
