Desiree Kylene McCloud, 27, succumbed to injuries sustained in a cycling accident on May 24.
A former Washington resident, Desiree also attended school in the North Daviess school district, graduating from Washington High School in 2006. She attended Purdue University earning a BA in behavioral neuroscience in 2011. Desiree resided in Seattle, Washington, and worked as a research associate with SNBL which provides preclinical research services to pharmaceutical and biotech clients throughout the world. After attending GeekGirlCon for a couple of years, Desiree assisted in a workshop teaching young girls how to play “Magic: The Gathering” in November 2014 where she learned of the need for Girl Scout leaders in the Seattle area. She and Brittney Geleynse then founded Troop 42071 with girls who had been on a waiting list. Later, Desiree became the service unit manager of the Western Washington Council. At the time of her accident, Desiree had just completed organizing a blanket-making party as a service unit-wide gift of caring, which resulted in the creation of over 150 blankets that were donated to the local children’s hospital. She was a member of the Lady Planeswalker Society, attending both weekly and occasional tournaments. She also enjoyed all things Star Wars, sci-fi, traveling, hiking, cycling and camping, as well as hanging out at her favorite pub with her friends, where she was lovingly known as “Queen of the Cosmos.” She was a member of VFW and American Legion auxiliaries.
Desiree is survived by her brother, Cody A. McCloud of Seattle; her parents, Christopher and Penny McCloud of Bloomfield (formerly of Odon); grandparents Mac and Judy McCloud of Lucedale, Mississippi; aunts Donna McCloud of Lucedale, Anna (Dave) Bontrager of Elnora, and Cathy Emmons of Elnora; uncles John (Mary) Parsley of Winterville Plantation, Maine, Daniel Emmons of Elnora, and David (Betty) Stanczak of Vincennes; and numerous cousins
Preceding her in death were her grandparents Hazel Stanczak and Charles Emmons, and uncles George Emmons and Winford McCloud II.
Desiree was admired for her intelligence, confidence, strong opinions, and her desire to ensure that all girls had the self-confidence and determination to achieve anything they desired. A memorial service was held on Tuesday at Ballard Elks Lodge 827, Seattle. A scholarship in honor of Desiree for girls planning to study science is being created by Brittney Geleynse and the Western Washington Girl Scout Council.
Visitation is from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday at Gill Chapel, Washington. The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Elnora Christian Church. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery in Elnora.