Corinne Cecilia Sciarappa was born and raised in Westborough, MA and was a 2019 graduate of Westborough High School (WHS). She was passionate about music, science and social justice; and was a lover of all animals, especially her dedicated companion, Mira. As a Girl Scout for 14 years she earned the Silver Award, and was as close to a professional cookie seller as one could be. Corinne enjoyed participating in theatre productions from an early age and particularly loved her role as the Scarecrow in the Wizard of Oz in 2013. As a fifth grader she championed fundraising for Heifer International at church for four years, turning cans and bottles into funds to purchase farm animals for those in need. In 2015, she was diagnosed with alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare and aggressive pediatric cancer. A talented oboist since grade 5, Corinne also played the flute in the WHS Ranger Marching Band as well as other varied instruments including the ukulele which she picked up, and then mastered, as a new patient at the Jimmy Fund Clinic. At WHS, Rin participated in the Gender and Sexuality Acceptance club and was a recipient of the MetroWest Diversity Award for her efforts to promote equality and inclusion at WHS. Corinne also received the national Emperor Science Award for her essay on cancer research, which drew on her own experience as a patient. The award led to an internship at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in the summer of 2018. There she worked in a lab and was a valued member of the research team, working on improving treatments for melanoma. Her Make A Wish trip in July of 2018 centered on a visit to the NASA facility in Mountain View, California, which included piloting an aircraft using a flight simulator. She had been accepted at Northeastern University and planned to major in cell and molecular biology. Corinne was a kind and loving person who will be missed immeasurably by her family and friends.

Corinne died in June of 2019 and is survived by her parents, Ken and Pauline Sciarappa; her brother, Luke; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. She also leaves behind her beloved cat, Mira. The family is grateful for the love and care Corinne received from the staff of the Jimmy Fund Clinic at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and at Boston Children’s Hospital, as well as the support they received from the community during Corinne’s illness.