Rachel E. McBrine
Rachel Elizabeth McBrine was born in Providence, RI March 16, 2000. She lived in Canton, MA for her infant/toddler years before moving to Holbrook, MA in October 2001. She was always a bright, creative young child. She loved to color and write stories about the characters she drew. She excelled at her schoolwork from a very early age and was always at the top of her class.
As she entered high school, it became apparent that she was interested in pursuing a career in the sciences. She graduated from high school in 2018 and was named Valedictorian of Holbrook Middle-Senior High School. She was the recipient of the Daron Jean Baptiste Memorial Scholarship and received an academic scholarship to attend Worcester Polytechnic Institute. She graduated WPI in May 2022 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and Biotechnology. She was recently employed as a Lab Assistant at the Dana Farber Cancer institute in Boston. It was her dream to someday attain her PhD and eventually run her own research lab.
Rachel had many interests outside of work. She enjoyed cooking (Asian food was her favorite), music, reading and crocheting (she could take a picture of something and turn it into a work of art!).
She had a bit of a plant obsession (which made it difficult for her not to add to her collection whenever she passed the gardening section of a store). Rachel firmly believed in equity for all human beings, and she was passionate about supporting social justice.
Most of all, Rachel loved her friends and family. She was an amazing friend and she always put her loved ones first. She was proud of her ability to always find the best gifts for her friends, which she loved to do.
She will be deeply missed by all her many friends and her family, her parents Karen and Bob McBrine, her brother Aaron McBrine, her partner Nathan Draudt, her grandmother Elaine Hopkins, and many aunts, uncles and cousins who knew and loved her well.
Rachel's family also included the family cats, Ollie and Lucy whom she adored (as well as the others who came before them). While she was in college, she belonged to the WPI organization PAWS: Promotion of Animal Welfare Society. Members of the organization would visit a local shelter as often as possible to volunteer their time.
Funeral from the Hurley Currie Funeral Home, 127 So. Franklin St. (Rt. 37), Holbrook on Tuesday, February 21st at 10:15am followed by a funeral mass at St. Joseph Church, 153 So. Franklin St., Holbrook at 11am. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours will be held Monday, February 20th from 4-7pm. Interment St. Mary’s Cemetery, 245 North St., Randolph.
Donations in Rachel's name may be made to:
1) Second Chance Animal Services
Adoption Center (508)867-5525
111 Young Rd., East Brookfield, MA 01515
2) Dana Farber Cancer Institute
Guestbook
First Name: Dereck
Last Name: Robinson
City: Herndon
State: VA
Country: USA
Entry Date: 02/17/2023
Prayers to the entire McBrine Family. What a bright light Rachel was. Godspeed.
First Name: Lee & Earle
Last Name: Wright
City: Sebastian
State: FL
Country: United States
Entry Date: 02/17/2023
It is with a heavy heart we make the trip back to our home State of Rhode Island to attend our niece's funeral. Rachel was an intelligent, beautiful loving woman who was taken much too soon. She will live in our hearts forever. We know how much better our lives were enriched because Rachel was in it.
All our love,
Uncle Earle & Aunt Lee
First Name: Mary
Last Name: Corrieri
City: Rockland
State: MA
Country:
Entry Date: 02/17/2023
To our I dear niece, Rachel, we love you.
Bob, Karen and Aaron, we love you all so much and are so very sorry for your terrible loss. Rachel had so much love from you and she shined.
Nathan, we know you loved her and made her happy. We are very sorry for your loss.
We are heartbroken. God bless you all, love Greg and Mary
First Name: Margaret
Last Name: Zubik
City: Passadumkeag
State: ME
Country: USA
Entry Date: 02/17/2023
So sorry for the loss of your dear daughters. I can’t begin to imagine what you are going through. Prayers for strength during this tough time and days to come.
Margie Zubik- Nate Draudt’s aunt.
First Name: Leslie
Last Name: Townsend
City:
State: MA
Country:
Entry Date: 02/17/2023
Bobby, Karen and Aaron, We are so deeply sorry for your loss. I remember Rachel at the Music Together class that Karen ran a million years ago at St. Claire’s. What a wonderfully accomplished young lady she became. You are all in our thoughts. The Townsends
First Name: Diane
Last Name: Cullinane
City:
State: MA
Country:
Entry Date: 02/17/2023
So sorry for your loss, prayers to you an your family through this most difficult time. Diane
First Name: Morgan
Last Name: DeAngelis
City: Walnut Creek
State: CA
Country: USA
Entry Date: 02/17/2023
Everyone who met Rachel will remember her innate kindness and desire to do good.
Rachel never compromised on who she was or what she liked and she expressed her love and joy so purely that she unconsciously pulled everyone around her to come share it with her.
Just a few of my many beautiful memories with Rachel include standing outside Founders Hall for hours in a little penguin pack just to catch a glimpse of the blood moon. And taking her off campus to sit together at a frozen lake, the ice had frozen just thin enough to send little shockwaves of sound rolling across the surface. I no longer remember what we talked about that day, but I remember feeling grateful to know her.
We will all miss her, sending warm thoughts and wishes to her loved ones.
First Name: Helen
Last Name: Nihtila
City: Holbrook
State: MA
Country:
Entry Date: 02/18/2023
Dear Karen, Bob and Aaron,
We are so truly sorry for the loss of your beautiful daughter Rachel. We will be praying for all of you, that the memories you have of her will bring you peace in your heart. With much love, Helen and Rob Nihtila and Family.
First Name: Karen
Last Name: Kashmanian Oates
City: Worcester
State: MA
Country: United States
Entry Date: 02/18/2023
What a wonderful student and bright mind. I was so sad to heard this news. My deepest condolences to her family and friends.
First Name: Bill
Last Name: Corbett
City: Holbrook
State: MA
Country: United States
Entry Date: 02/18/2023
From the Corbett family to the McBrine family (Autumn's dad here) our condolences for your loss.Rachel was the type of girl/young lady you wanted your children to associate with.A good influence through and through.It reflects well on her family and upbringing as well.Again,so sorry.Wishing all Rachel's family the strength and support needed.God bless.Sincerely Bill Corbett.
First Name: Laurie and Mark
Last Name: Valle
City: Franklin
State: MA
Country: United States
Entry Date: 02/18/2023
Bobby, Karen and Aaron,
Our hearts are heavy. I remember a lively adorable little girl at Marisa's Bridal Shower so many many years ago. She grew up to be such a bright star. God Bless you all ! You are in our prayers.
First Name: marina
Last Name: selby
City: Harwich Port
State: MA
Country: United States
Entry Date: 02/18/2023
I was Rachel's Junior English teacher. She was a stellar student and a lovely young woman with a promising future. My heart breaks for her and her entire family. Huge loss.
First Name: Patty
Last Name: Graziano
City: Abington
State: MA
Country: United States
Entry Date: 02/19/2023
To each of Rachels family members, I truly feel sadness within my heart for each of you. Rachel was so young and energetic and full of life, yet God called her home to himself. We know not why, yet one day you will all see your beautiful Rachel again. Embrace the joy that she gave to you all. Loving memories shared with Rachel is what will help to see you through the days ahead. My prayers of comfort and strength will continue for you all. So sorry,
Patty,
(Mary and Gregs friend)
First Name: Amy
Last Name: Fedrick
City: Abington
State: MA
Country: Usa
Entry Date: 02/19/2023
Dear Miss Karen and family, We are so incredibly sorry for the loss of your daughter/sister Rachel. I remember her brief visits during Music Together classes and how you talked so proudly about your children. I cannot imagine this loss and know you and your family will be in our thoughts. Love, Amy, Anna & Tyler Fedrick
First Name: Sheila & Bob
Last Name: Venard
City: Harpswell
State: ME
Country: USA
Entry Date: 02/19/2023
So very very sad to hear of Rachel’s passing. She was truly a young woman of many gifts who could have done so much in the future. But obviously did so much already. She was an integral part of the WPI foursome who started WPI together as roommates of which my daughter was a part. She was deeply loved by the girls and will forever remain in their hearts and ours as we recall her lovely personality and commitment to friendship. God bless and hold the family and Nate.
First Name: Anne and Gregg
Last Name: Draudt
City: Stow
State: MA
Country: USA
Entry Date: 02/19/2023
Karen, Bob, and Aaron, we are so very sorry for your loss. Rachel was such a lovely, smart, talented young woman who brought so much joy to all who knew her. We will all carry her in our hearts forever and she will be deeply missed. The Draudt Family
First Name: Bill
Last Name: Dunlevy
City: Hampstead
State: NH
Country:
Entry Date: 02/19/2023
Praying for the McBrine family. So sorry for the loss of Rachel.
First Name: Gloria
Last Name: Mayo
City: Brockton
State: MA
Country: USA
Entry Date: 02/21/2023
MY deepest sympathy and condolences to you and family.
May the God of Peace rest His peace and comfort on you and family.
You and your family are in my heart and prayers.
First Name: Dennis and Kathy
Last Name: McBrine
City: Hebron
State: CT
Country: United States
Entry Date: 02/22/2023
We are heartbroken to learn of Rachel's passing. Our deepest sympathies to Bob, Karen, and Aaron. Keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.
First Name: Liz
Last Name: Ryder
City: Northborough
State: MA
Country: United States
Entry Date: 02/25/2023
To Rachel’s family –
I was one of Rachel’s MQP advisors her senior year at WPI. I just wanted to send you my deepest sympathy on her passing. I still cannot believe it. I can only imagine your devastation at her loss.
Rachel was a pleasure to work with. She and Emily were so enthusiastic, creative, organized, and hard-working on their project. And Rachel was such a pleasant, friendly, and mature young woman. I was so happy for her that she had achieved a position at the Dana Farber.
My heart is breaking for you. I know Rachel had many good friends, and she will never be forgotten.
In Deepest Sympathy, Liz Ryder
First Name: Jerome
Last Name: Ritz
City: Boston
State: MA
Country: USA
Entry Date: 02/25/2023
To all of Rachel's family and friends I want to express my deepest condolences. In Rachel's short time in my research lab at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute it was very clear that she was a very bright and talented young woman who had a great aptitude for science. It is truly tragic that she could not pursue her dream. A tremendous loss.
Dr. Jerome Ritz
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute