Corey Elizabeth Brennan

Dec. 1, 1986 – Feb. 19, 2025

Resident of Seattle, WA

Corey Elizabeth Brennan

Corey Elizabeth Brennan was born to parents Tim and Rebecca Brennan on December 1, 1986 in Stanford, California.

Corey was an original.  Reading at age three, Corey was always inquisitive, creative, and an excellent student.  She was also a dreamer who believed in the best qualities of people and always wanted to help others.  During her life, Corey achieved some hard-won goals, and managed to find joy in just about everything by putting herself out there and taking a risk.  She was also a kind, and caring person, and, for a time, volunteered as a court appointed special advocate for children with CASA in Santa Clara County, CA.

After graduating from UC Santa Cruz with a degree in computer science, Corey spent several years working primarily on educational software products.

Corey’s many varied interests included languages, South Sea Island culture, karaoke, gardening, dancing, and video game development.  She also loved to draw and paint.  Some of us were lucky enough to receive personalized drawings and paintings as gifts.  In every activity which Corey set her mind to, she always drew in others with her warmth and laughter.

After meeting her future husband Guangyang “Andy” Cai, Corey accompanied him to the State of Washington while he pursued doctoral studies at the University of Washington.  Shortly after arriving in Seattle, Corey was diagnosed with breast cancer.  She received world class care from Dr. William Rayford Gwin III and his extended team at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (now the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center) as well as from the University of Washington medical system.  We are forever grateful to the many, many compassionate and caring staff who supported Corey through daunting treatments.

While dealing with cancer treatments, Corey helped raise funds to donate food, clothing and school supplies for elementary age children in Seattle.  She also dedicated herself to working on local and national political campaigns.  She found joy and inspiration in the Seattle landscape and waterways.  Most importantly, Corey continued to live her life to the fullest and made new friends in Seattle.

After more than seven years of battling breast cancer, Corey passed away on February 19, 2025, at the age of 38, in Kirkland, Washington.  Corey is survived by her husband Andy, her parents Tim and Rebecca Brennan, sister Erin (Justin) Anderson, nephew Teddy, niece Natalie, in-laws Terry and Martha Cai, as well as numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.  She is predeceased by her grandparents Jimmie and June Aoyagi, and Peter and Eleanore Brennan.

Corey will be remembered for her kindness, laughter, inquisitive nature and spirit.  Sweet dreams, Corey.

A celebration of life will be planned for a future date in the Spring at one of Corey’s favorite spots near the water in Seattle.

Please honor Corey with an act of kindness.  You can also honor Corey with a donation to the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA