'She was sassy and loved MC Hammer': West Haven mourns death of girl, 13
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Madison Cicarella (left), 13, and her mother, Nikki Stancarone, are photographed at their home in West Haven on January 28, 2021.Arnold Gold / Hearst Connecticut Media
WEST HAVEN — When Coreena Baker’s daughter experienced a personal loss, the girl found comfort in the arms of her friend Madison Cicarella.
“Madi gave her a hug and said it’s OK, because the pain is going to stop but you have to keep moving forward,” Baker said.
For seven months, the city of West Haven rallied around Madison — Madi — as she dealt with myelodysplasia, a rare blood cancer. She was “adopted” by First Congregational Church of West Haven, which held a prayer service for her, and community members pitched in to offer financial support to Madi and her family.