Corinna Povey Tobin, 28, of Southborough, Massachusetts, passed away on June 3, 2025. Born on November 18, 1996, in Newton, Massachusetts, Corinna was deeply cherished by all who knew her and will be forever missed.
From a young age, Corinna developed a passion for nature and animals. Fearless in her curiosity, she sought to learn about the natural world through hands-on experience, eagerly capturing everything from insects to snakes with her gentle hands. Although these adventures often resulted in mysterious bites and scratches, Corinna was always more concerned about the well-being of the animals than her own.
Her passion for animals helped inspire a lifetime of creativity. From the moment she could hold a pen, Corinna displayed unmatched artistic talent and loved illustrating her experiences with the creatures she adored. The walls of the Tobin household display Corinna’s imagination through her caricatures, which brought family adventures and everyday moments vividly to life.
No one who knew Corinna ever received a store-bought birthday card. She poured her heart into creating something custom and meaningful that the recipient would truly connect to. As she grew older, her artistic abilities continued to refine, evolving into work of extraordinary detail, skill, and originality.
As Corinna grew older, she shared her artistic talents with others, including a time working at The Windows Art Gallery in Connecticut, where she helped teach children how to draw. She took great joy in encouraging creativity and helping young artists discover confidence in their own abilities.
In addition to her love of nature and art, Corinna possessed an unapologetic sense of humor. She was a comedian who loved to laugh and, even more, to make others laugh. Her relentless comedic tsunami brought joy to those fortunate enough to know her.
Above all, Corinna loved spending time at Lake George, New York. There she was her happiest: swimming, snorkeling, tubing, exploring nature, drawing, and being surrounded by family and friends. The lake was a place of peace, adventure, and countless cherished memories throughout her life.
Back home, Corinna also enjoyed horseback riding and exploring nature with one of her dearest friends. These adventures reflected the curiosity, independence, and love of the outdoors that defined so much of who she was.
Corinna especially enjoyed fostering kittens and ducklings with her mother, hiking with her father, spending quality time with her Omi, teaching her brother and cousins how tocatch frogs and newts, discovering funny YouTube videos to share and laugh about together, and introducing her family to anime series that became favorites we all enjoyed watching together.
Throughout much of her life, Corinna faced significant health challenges that began at an early age. Yet even during difficult times, she continued to pursue the things she loved most—creating art, caring for animals, exploring nature, and sharing laughter with those around her. Her perseverance, courage, and determination were an inspiration to those who knew and loved her.
Though our time with Corinna was far too short, her creations, love for animals, spirit, and humor will continue to live on and be passed down by those who loved her.
Corinna was preceded in death by her grandmother, Irene Hettinger, and her grandfathers, James Gregory Tobin Jr. and Edward Hettinger.
She is lovingly survived by her mother, JoAnn Tobin; her father, Gregory J. Tobin; her brother, Jimmy Tobin; her grandmother, Beate Tobin; her aunt, Elizabeth Tarmey; her uncles, Michael Hettinger, Robert Tobin, and Patrick Tarmey; her cousins, Ed Tarmey, Jim Tarmey, and Phoebe Hettinger; and many other relatives, friends, and loved ones whose lives she enriched.
Though her passing has left an irreplaceable hole in our hearts, we are grateful for the countless memories she gave us. We will forever remember her laughter, her compassion for animals, her artistic gifts, and the joy she brought into our lives.
May Corinna rest in peace, and may peace be her eternal home.
Services for Corinna will be private.In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to, Red Cord Ministries’ Life-Changing Work – organized by Theresa LaCasse with whom The Windows Art Gallery was affiliated.
[Editor’s Note: The delayed obituary was posted this week.]
(Photo and Obituary via Morris-Johnston Funeral Home)
