Claire Caitlin Darby

She attended school in Baltimore County and received permission from the local school board to graduate a year early. Her independent spirit took flight when she moved into the dorm at Frostburg University in 2002, shortly before her 17th birthday. During a 2005 semester at James Cook University in Townsville, Australia, Claire realized that she loved learning about the world via travel as much or more than she enjoyed the classroom. After graduating with a BS in English and minor in Art History, she visited every state in the continental U.S. in a series of trips with friends, family, and Peanut, the best dog in the world.

Claire lived in San Diego CA and Tacoma, WA for several years before moving to Hobe Sound a few days before Christmas 2021. Her trip to Portugal in 2023 shifted Claire’s focus to international travel. Trips to the Azores, Madeira, Ireland, and Australia were in the planning stages when she passed.

She is survived by her parents, Michael Darby and Carol Collins, stepfather Don Frese, brother Seth Darby, bonus sisters Rebekah Ramirez and Kim Jeckell, nephew Gabriel Ramirez, and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

A celebration of Claire’s life will be held on July 19th 2025, at 2pm at the Cambridge Clubhouse, 8201 Constitution Blvd, Hobe Sound, FL.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donating to a local food bank, public school or animal shelter.