Lorelei Clair Green

Lorelei Clair Green passed away on January 14, 2026 at the tender age of 11 years. While she was with us for only a short time, the impact she made will last lifetimes. Her spirit was much stronger than her body, but energy never dies. And so, it is impossible for Lorelei to be gone.

Lorelei sets the world on fire. Her mom often says Lorelei’s personality enters a room before she does. She is larger than life.

Lorelei is a friend to all. Her sister calls her the “Queen of Copley.” Her beautiful face, sassy, confident strut, and loving personality capture the attention of friends and strangers wherever she goes.

She returns to a room after being gone mere minutes or seconds, with her hands in the air and a declaration to all those who surely miss her, “I’m baaack!”

Everyone who meets her adores her. She is as loving as she is sassy. She loves watching her sister dance and loves getting beauty makeovers from her, presenting her new look with hands on her hips and a flip of her hair.

Lorelei belongs everywhere she goes—whether she is swimming with her friends at Kids Academy summer camp, playing baseball with friends at Miracle League, showcasing her skills at the Studio West dance recital, or simply enjoying the attention of her friends and classmates at Copley Fairlawn Middle School.

Having Down syndrome is a gift—not just to Lorelei, but also to everyone she meets. She has signature sparkles in her eyes, a forgiving nature, and a compassionate spirit. She shows sheer determination when faced with a challenge. Her hugs are tighter and more healing than an average hug. And if you ever get an “I love you” from Lorelei, you know you are something special.

Unfortunately, Down syndrome comes with many medical complexities. She fought hard through all of them with courage and resilience. She was perfect despite all of her medical imperfections. She was a warrior from the very beginning. But in the end, her body was not as strong as her spirit. As her mom put it, she just could not “Lorelei” her way through this injury or illness like she did through all her other health challenges. After a spinal cord injury and subsequent respiratory issues, her body gave way. Her spirit will live on in our memories and in the laughter and joy she brought to all of us.

Perfect words for Lorelei’s life, her impact on the world and the people around her, and the legacy she leaves with each of us can be found in the lyrics of a song from Lorelei’s favorite musical, Wicked:

Just look at me, I’m limited

And just look at you.

You can do all I couldn’t do

…So now it’s up to you for both of us

Now it’s up to you

I've heard it said that people come into our lives for a reason,

Bringing something we must learn

And we are led to those who help us most to grow if we let them

And we help them in return

…So much of me is made of what I learned from you

You'll be with me like a handprint on my heart

I do believe I have been changed for the better

And because I knew you,

I have been changed for good

[Credit: "For Good" from Wicked (2003); Music & Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz]

She is survived by her devoted and loving parents, Kate and Bryan; big sister, Addy; her aunt Mary Hogan Ulmer (Amy); Uncle Tim “Tip” and Aunt Sara “Sasa” and their children; many other cousins, aunts and uncles; along with grandparents, Martin “Pa pa” and Joann “Mama” Hogan; “adopted” aunts and uncles, especially Uncle Casey and Aunt Ann Beard; other friends who became family - Rachel Reid and family, Grandma Connie, Sara “Sasa” Shaffer (Sara Livingston) and her children Karter and Kayli; her teachers, Kristin “Sheldon” Sheldon, Lisa “M” McFedries; aid, Ann “B” Boychi; and baby sitter, Felicia “Lalicia” Siegman.

Lorelei was very popular and had many friends, especially Hattie Pickett, Parker Mancuso, William Sloan, Violet Billington, Parker Hargrove, Emma Fister, and Aubrey Fast. There is not enough room to name them all. So to all of her friends…children and adults, caregivers, teachers, medical providers, therapists…please know you are so important to us and will be forever loved by Lorelei.

She was preceded in death by her Grandpa, Duane Green and Uncle, Geoff Green, who we believe greeted her in heaven as they lifted her up and gathered all other family members who had gone before her, to be entertained by Lorelei.

A Memorial Service to honor and celebrate Lorelei will be held at 5pm on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 in the church hall at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, 3204 Ridgewood Road, Fairlawn, Ohio 44333.

Her sister, Addy, asks that those coming to the memorial please wear colorful clothing as Lorelei loved a party - especially if it was about her.