Obituary of Brianna Gainley

Brianna Theresa Gainley of Burlington, at the age of 24, passed away on Saturday, April 23, 2016, after a valiant 5 year battle against osteosarcoma. Brianna was born in Winchester and was a lifelong resident of Burlington. She was a 2010 graduate of Burlington High School, and after high school, Brianna attended the University of Massachusetts on a full Commonwealth Scholarship. It was in her freshman year of college when Brianna’s symptoms first appeared. A sharp pain in her right knee was eventually diagnosed as osteosarcoma. As the cancer progressed and Brianna was faced with many challenges, she leveraged her inner strength to remain positive and overcome the obstacles she was confronted with. After Brianna had to have her leg amputated early last year, she learned to walk again with a prosthetic leg and finished the ¼ mile “survivor’s lap” at last summer’s Relay for Life at Burlington High School. Throughout her ordeal, Brianna continued to pursue her college education and enjoy life. She had a very creative mind and enjoyed painting, sketching, music, reading, arts and crafts, video games, anime, computers, and programming. Brianna loved being outdoors, and enjoyed bicycling, being on the water, and boating on the Merrimack River. She was a member of a robotics team at UMass Lowell that won an award at a national NASA robotics competition in Houston. After Brianna received her terminal diagnosis several weeks ago, UML held a special graduation ceremony where Brianna received her degree and was introduced as the first graduate of the Class of 2016. Brianna had a special spirit that prevailed during her life. She didn’t let her illness define her, limit her, or keep her from accomplishing her goals. Brianna will be fondly remembered for many things, including her strength, perseverance, determination and courage. Although her life was much too short, Brianna lived life to the fullest during the short time that she had on earth. She made many friends, traveled, earned her college degree, found true love, and enriched the lives of everyone who knew her. Brianna was the loving fiancée of Ryan Hart. She was the cherished and much loved daughter of Maureen (Duggan) and Frank Gainley, Jr. of Burlington. She was the older and loving sister of Tayla, Marlea, and Shaylinn Gainley all of Burlington. She was the granddaughter of Judy Gainley of Burlington, the late Frank Gainley, and the late Robert and Theresa Duggan. Brianna was the niece of Lisa & Tom Dimino of Peabody, Karen Duggan of Athol, Kevin & Joan Duggan of MS, and Shawn Duggan of CO. She was also survived by many friends, classmates, and colleagues. In accordance with Brianna’s wishes, funeral services will be private. In lieu of flowers, Brianna wanted to help others who have osteosarcoma and requested that donations in her memory be considered and made to: http://www.curesarcoma.org/in-memory-of-brianna-gainley