In Memory of Claire Anne Cucchiari-Loring

Claire Cucchiari-Loring was born in Ypsilanti, Michigan on December 29, 1983. In 2002 she graduated from First Colonial High School in Virginia Beach, VA, where she was an honor student, color guard captain, drum major of the marching band, and active in choral activities, including serving as vocalist with the jazz band. During those years she was selected to participate in Virginia All-District and State Honor Choirs and the Governor’s School for French.

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In July, 2001, as the vocalist with the “Young Razzcals” Jazz Project, Claire performed on the main stage of the Telluride (CO) Jazz Festival and in other venues of the festival.

Claire Anne Cucchiari-Loring died suddenly and tragically on Friday, December 8, 2006. Claire was killed by her ex-boyfriend, who then killed himself. Two weeks earlier, Claire had courageously moved to end a troubled relationship and “be herself” again. Friends and family had welcomed the return of her lighthearted and open spirit.

Claire was a student at Old Dominion University, working towards her goal of graduating magna cum laude in May, 2007, with a major in music. At ODU she sang with the madrigal singers and jazz choir and was a vocal soloist with the jazz band. She and her talent thrived in the close-knit ODU music family. To hear her music, click on this link to her Myspace memorial page.

Music was Claire’s great passion, from the time she was a tiny girl making up songs and belting them out. Her jazz professor at ODU, John Toomey, said, “She had a beautiful, natural voice, a wonderful gift. And she was totally enamored with jazz.” At the celebration of her life, he spoke about her voice and style as being reminiscent of the big band singers from the 1930s and 40s. She loved to sing that music. Click on any of the pictures below to see a larger version. Click "back" to return to this page.

Claire was a thoughtful and generous soul, who took her responsibilities seriously and liked to think about complicated questions. Professor Toomey said, “She was the type of student who would challenge her professors—with respect—but it would make you think.” She was known around the ODU campus for her voice and her purple Xena backpack. She loved jigsaw puzzles, and Sicilian rice-cheese balls, and she recently earned a green belt in self-defense. She could be silly one moment and wickedly sarcastic the next. She was fiercely independent, with a core of sweetness and innocence—what an interesting person she was, and how her family and friends loved her! Many mourners have talked about the kind, non-judgmental, and sometimes practical ways she would listen to and support people in trouble.

A celebration of Claire’s life was held on Tuesday, December 12 at 11 a.m. in the Chandler Recital Hall at Old Dominion University. Recordings of Claire’s music were played as participants filed in and out of the room, including a rendition of “Route 66” recorded with the Young Razzcals when she was 17 years old. During the celebration, Claire’s ODU jazz professor, John Toomey, spoke about her and played two piano selections in her honor. Two fellow ODU music students spoke about her lively spirit and her courage. The men of Phi Mu Alpha music fraternity sang to her, and her last jazz solo “Ain’t Misbehavin,’” recorded live in concert on November 28, 2006, was played. Family members and the President of ODU also spoke. In attendance at the celebration were many musicians who had taught, sang with, or appreciated Claire over the years.

The family would like to give a special thanks to Dave Adams and all the musicians featured on this site, for helping to honor our warrior princess with the sweet, sweet heart and the voice of an angel.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Music Department at Old Dominion University, where a jazz scholarship has been established in her name. Checks can be made to “Claire Cucchiari-Loring Scholarship” and sent to: ODU Educational Foundation, 129 Koch Hall, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23229, Attn: Cathy Craft.

Claire Anne Cucchiari-Loring

1983-2006