Needham Christmas Eve fire: How to watch the funeral of Kayla Corrigan
A four-alarm house fire on Christmas Eve has left the Needham community mourning 21-year-old Kayla Corrigan , whose body was found inside her burned down family home after the flames were extinguished.
Corrigan's family and friends, community members and the like are invited to join together in remembering her during her funeral Mass on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. The 11 a.m. service will be livestreamed at www.harborview.live/ .
"In the midst of this enormous loss, the force of her powerful personality gives us strength in moments of despair," her obituary reads.
Firefighters responded to the deadly blaze at 28 Woodworth Road around 5 a.m. on Dec. 24, 2025, the State Fire Marshal's Office said previously. First responders tried to push into the house, but were forced to turn back as flames spread quickly through the three-story, 6,500-square-foot home.
Two other adults who were inside the house at the time of the fire escaped, the State Fire Marshal's Office said. Investigators ultimately determined that the fire was accidental and began in the home's attached garage.
The Corrigans' home has been deemed a total loss. A GoFundMe campaign is raising money to help pay for the needs of Corrigan's family, as well as her funeral services.
Remembering Kayla Corrigan
Kayla Renee Corrigan was born April 30, 2004, in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, to Christa and Jim Corrigan, according to her obituary . She and her family moved to Needham, Massachusetts, in 2007 and became parishioners of St. Joseph Parish.
Corrigan attended Jackson Walnut Park School for elementary school before moving on to Newton Country Day School for middle and high school, according to her obituary. She was midway through her senior year at Syracuse University and set to graduate with a degree in marketing management when she died.
Corrigan's family and friends remember her for her unique character, from her lifelong devotion to the color pink to her love of hugs.
"She insisted on hugging her coaches at the start and finish of every gymnastics practice — even if she had to chase down the gym owner," her obituary reads. " ... Even on Disney trips, she hugged so many of the costumed characters that they gently tried to pull away, only for her to pull them back in for one more squeeze."
Though Corrigan excelled at many different sports, she was an exceptional gymnast, according to her obituary. She trained with the U.S. Olympic Team and won multiple state championships.
"She raced down ski hills in a bright pink ski outfit without fear, never bothering to make a turn," her obituary reads.
Corrigan was passionate about fashion, through which she often showed her creative spirit, according to her obituary. She believed one could never overdress, regardless of the occasion.
"Clothes were not about vanity with Kayla — they were about expressing her joy, confidence, and openness to the world," her obituary reads.
Corrigan's family and friends also remember her for her infectious personality and willingness to be vulnerable with others, according to her obituary. She was "warm, energetic, and funny," and "often owned the room" in social situations.
"She had an uncanny ability to connect, to quickly understand where someone was coming from, and to match their energy without losing herself," her obituary reads. "She was open to everyone, including people whose backgrounds and interests were very different from her own."
Corrigan had "an outrageous sense of humor" and "loved being a bit of a ham," according to her obituary. Her charm was so powerful that she and her best friend once convinced the staff at a Domino's pizza to let them behind the counter to make their own pizzas.
Corrigan was also family-oriented, "fiercely loyal, a gentle mediator, and deeply forgiving," according to her obituary.
"She could see different points of view, weigh everyone's feelings softly, and was willing to 'take a hit for the team' if it meant keeping the peace," her obituary reads. "Most of all, she wanted people to love each other and get along."
Corrigan leaves behind her parents, sister and many other beloved family and friends, according to her obituary.
"Kayla was a beautiful paradox of seemingly incompatible qualities and character traits," her obituary reads. " ... She was exceptionally sensitive and caring, but also tough, resilient, and fearless. Her emotional intelligence surpassed that of many adults, yet she had a child‑like silliness and playfulness that disguised her inner maturity. She dreamed big, but moved through life with humility and steady kindness."
Visiting hours for Corrigan are scheduled to take place on Thursday, Jan. 8, from 3 to 7 p.m. at Eaton Funeral Home in Needham, according to her obituary. Her funeral Mass is set to follow the next day at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph Church in Needham.
"The courage, compassion, laughter, and love she brought into the world will remain with us even in her absence," her obituary reads.
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