Miriam “Miri” Klau, 26, died Jan. 9, of a drug overdose following a long struggle with addiction, narcolepsy and mental illness. Born in Boston, she was the daughter of Dr. Jennifer (Feldman) Klau and the Honorable Daniel J. Klau of West Hartford. Miri had proudly enjoyed more than a year of sobriety before her death and was planning on moving from Los Angeles to Hawaii with her boyfriend, who had taught her how to surf. A graduate of The Bess & Paul Sigel Hebrew Academy and William Hall High School, Miri was a passionate artist who loved glassblowing and metal work, especially wrought iron. She was a talented musician and vocalist who brought family and friends to tears whenever she performed. Classically trained on piano, Miri also taught herself cello, guitar and saxophone. She loved to paint, create digital art and sketch her friends. To the trepidation of her parents, who lost countless nights of sleep, the adventurous and friendly Miri hitchhiked and train-hopped her way across the United States several times after completing a gap-year program. At times she chose to live on the streets. Ever afterwards she admonished family and friends to show compassion for the homeless. Miri’s friends remember her loving spirit, genuineness and wide-ranging creativity. They recall that, despite her own challenges, Miri always put others’ needs before her own. In addition to her parents, Miri is survived by her younger siblings, Ari and Etan; her grandparents, David and Barbara “Bobby” Klau of West Hartford, and Wallace and Cecily Feldman of Brookline, Mass. and Delray Beach, Fla.; and an extended family of aunts, uncles and cousins, and friends.