Obituary of Alaina Marie McLean

Alaina Marie McLean, affectionately known to all as Laina, embarked on her final adventure on April 7, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of laughter and an abundance of cherished memories. Born on a sunny day in Bay City, Michigan, on August 11, 2004, Laina's infectious humor and zest for life became apparent early on and never waned throughout her 20 vibrant years. Laina's tale is one of boundless love and constant amusement. She tackled life much like a stand-up comedian approaches a mic—full of confidence and with a knack for finding joy and laughter. Kathy McLean DeCatur and Michael McLean, her doting parents, knew from the start that they had a star on their hands. Laina's siblings—Anthony, Rebecca (Malik, Lainas partner in crime), Sarah, Christopher, and Michael—loved her very dearly including her bonus brother Jacob Wilson. Our exceptional Laina completed a semester of college, where she majored in making everyone smile and minored in being the life of the party. Her dedication to her studies was only surpassed by her commitment to her family, especially her nieces and nephews — Chance, Raelynn, Jeremiah, Londynn, Xavier, Dakota, Bre, Lexi, Kiki, Grant and Parker and more — whom she adored and entertained with her endless antics and warm embrace. Laina was the life of the party. Her love of music was only rivaled by her talent for turning any gathering into an unforgettable event. Always asking "Can I put a song on?" Those who knew her, loved her not just for the laughter she brought into their lives, but for her loving, funny, and adventurous spirit. She navigated life with the same philosophy Robin Williams once quipped, "You're only given a little spark of madness. You mustn't lose it." Laina not only kept her spark but fanned it into a dazzling flame that warmed the hearts of all who had the pleasure to know her. As we bid farewell to Alaina Marie McLean, let's not focus on the silence left in the wake of her laughter. Instead, let's find comfort in the echoes of joy she left in every life she touched. Laina's memory will continue to be a guiding light for her family in Essexville, where she took her final bow. Her legacy is not one of sorrow but of a life spectacularly lived and generously shared. Indeed, the world was her stage, and she — it’s shining star.  A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, April 18, 2025 at 3 pm, at the Hyatt Ewald Funeral Home, 700  N. Monroe St., Bay City, MI.  The family will receive friends on Friday prior to the service from 1 pm - 3 pm.  To sign online guestbook, visit www.hyattewald.com  Arrangements made with the Hyatt Ewald Funeral Home.