Clementine Cara Dooley - ForeverMissed.com Online Memorials

On Saturday, April 24th, our beautiful daughter Clementine ate a meal of crispy roasted duck by way of her mother, Cara Dooley. Her father, Alex Dooley, can confirm that it was truly delicious. Her 22 month-old brother, Murphy Dooley, was not quite as impressed.

But on Sunday, April 25th, Clementine’s heart stopped beating. She was scheduled to be delivered via c-section on Tuesday, April 27th. Instead, she was stillborn at 9:34pm, two days before her planned delivery.

Alex gave her a bath. Cara cuddled her on her chest. Both of them cried, kissed her little toes, and held her so, so close.

We are completely devastated. Clementine was a perfectly healthy little girl, and her passing was quite literally the result of a freak accident in utero. There is nothing we could have done to prevent it. There is nothing we can do to understand it. There is no way we will ever possibly get over it.

Still, we are full of love for this child. Our hearts have grown a Clem-sized amount, and we are wracked with grief that we never got a chance to cultivate the spark of life that filled her soul.

Clementine is deeply loved by so many people. Together, her family invites you to join an outdoor burial ceremony at 11am on Saturday, May 1. It will be held graveside at River View Cemetery in southwest Portland, a beautifully serene location on a hill overlooking the Willamette River. For directions to the plot, please inquire at the River View Cemetery Office, located at 300 S Taylors Ferry Road, Portland, OR 97219.

In lieu of flowers, please send your favorite children’s book to Cara and Alex Dooley at 8410 SE 17th Ave, Apt. 10, Portland, OR 97202. We’ll be expanding Murphy’s library, and all duplicate books will be donated to children's organizations in our home of Portland, Oregon. These books will be a final gift from Clementine to Murphy, and to the world that would have welcomed her with loving, open arms.

We love you, Clementine. We thank God for you. We wish we could have known you more. We’ll see you later, our little dancer.

Tributes

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May 26, 2021

Dear Alex and Cara:

I write my deepest condolences for your terrible loss. You have told such a beautiful and heart-rending story in your memories of Clementine. I hope that Clementine's memory will be a blessing to both of you. Please give each other your deepest love. As it says in Thornton Wilder's wonderful book The Bridge of San Luis Rey:

"We ourselves shall be loved for awhile and forgotten. But the love will have been enough; all those impulses of love return to the love that made them. Even memory is not necessary for love. There is a land of the living and a land of the dead and the bridge is love, the only survival, the only meaning."

May 3, 2021

Dear Alex and Cara:
Love such that you and Clementine shared never diminishes over time, distance or space. I pray your grief is comforted by her love for you, God's hand on your hearts, and your strong family support. This is a lovely tribute to a beautiful child, and thank you for bravely sharing it. And bless you for loving her so much that you have honored her life while in tremendous pain over her inexplicable death.

With love from your family... cousin/'Aunt' Lois and husband, Greg

May 1, 2021

Alex and Cara,
Our hearts goes out to y’all and we know your hurt and loss, we have been there too. It’s been over 13 years but the memories are still clear. Hold each other close and feel 120% free to reach out if you want someone to talk too.

Stan & Bonnie Toney

April 30, 2021

Alex and Cara,

There are simply no words to convey how heartbroken we are for your precious family. Long, long ago, when our own baby son died, your father told us that God's grace was sufficient. Nearly 12 years later, we know that to be Truth that I pray you feel every single day forward in this 'new normal' you'll have with parts of your heart here on earth and in Heaven. We are lifting you all in our prayers--your sweet girl was simply beautiful. We are honored to choose and send some books for your little Murphy in memory of his little sister. <3 <3 <3

April 28, 2021

Dear Alex and Cara,

I wish I could book the next flight and fly to the US to be with you two, your family, and Clementine. I wish I lived closer so I could help you two pick up groceries, do chores, or do anything that requires energy that you do not have right now as you mourn the loss of Clementine. I wish I could be there with you both physically.

I've already bought a few books for Murphy and they're on their way over. I hope the family will like the books. One of the books is titled "When Dinosaurs Die: A Guide to Understanding Death." Perhaps Murphy is too young to comprehend everything that's happening, but I hope the book would be helpful to your family as you navigate through this difficult time together.

Please hold each other tightly and I'll be praying for you all. If there's anything I can do for you, please do not hesitate to reach out. I'd be happy to Uber Eats food to your place if you just can't get yourself to cook or go out for a meal.

I love you both and my heart is aching for your family, including Clementine.

Hope to see you soon.

April 28, 2021

My heart goes out to sweet clementines parents & loved ones. Im so sorry for your loss, praying for you all during this time.

April 28, 2021

We grieve with you for your precious Clementine. Please know we are praying for you and here to offer any support we can from our Eastbridge church family.

April 28, 2021

This is Pascuala, Juan’s aunt. I am visiting from Colombia and would like to give my condolences for the sad passing of beautiful baby Clementine. May God give you much strength and comfort in these sad times.

April 27, 2021

Dear Alex and Cara:
My heart aches for you over the loss of our Clementine. May the Holy Spirit bring to your family peace during this difficult time of grief. KNOW each of you are in my thoughts and prayers. And know that, as Believers, we will all be together again some day .....
Aunt Pat
(Patricia Stone-Gullatt)

April 27, 2021

My sweet friends,
What a beautiful story you have told in the memory of your precious Clementine! My heart is breaking for you all...this picture makes me think of heaven and how lovely it will be when we are able to see and hold our babies once again. Please know that I love y’all and am asking God to wrap you in His love and cover you in peace. Forever and always...