'She had a lot of friends,' one said of young fire victim, Corinne Gump

YOUNGSTOWN

It sat among the plethora of stuffed animals in the small yard in front of the burned and boarded up house at 3631 Powers Way.

A lanky blue monkey with a paisley pattern that was clutching a weathered note: “You are my best friend.”

She had a lot of friends, said Sonja Corum, who was one of them — Corinne Gump, 10, was a “very respectful, very nice” child, who was loved by a lot of people, she said.

Walking by the house on their way to a candlelight vigil to honor Corinne, who died in a fire there March 30, were her cousin Jocelyn Getsy of Lowellville and stepsister Malayna Koziorynsky, 11.

They remembered their close friend — riding bikes and playing outside.

A few blocks up the street from the house, a crowd was gathering.

There, a close friend of Corinne’s father and the organizer of the event was waiting with a poem he’d written for the little girl whose life was cut short and for his friend who had to bear the pain of losing her.

A songwriter was waiting with a song just for them.

A singer would lift her voice up in an impromptu and beautiful a capella version of “Precious Lord, Take My Hand,”

A pastor, the Rev. Freddie Rodriguez, would have some words about the reason for the vigil Tuesday evening, which was to honor Corinne and her grandparents, William and Judith Schmidt, who also perished in the fire.

The fire is suspicious. It happened hours before Corinne was to testify in the trial of Robert Seman of Green Township, who is charged with raping her.

“We need to honor and celebrate Corinne’s life tonight,” the Rev. Mr. Rodriguez said. “Lay down our judgment and any anger and honor this girl’s life along with her wonderful grandparents.”

Read more about tonight's memorial in Wednesday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.