Even confined to a wheelchair, unable to blink on her own and nearly deaf, 17-year-old Chelsea Cohen continued to fight a rare form of cancer that finally took her life Wednesday.

The popular teen spent two and a half years fighting her disease and refused to believe she would not beat it until the very end. The day before she died, Chelsea?s mother Barbara said Chelsea begged her, ?Please don?t quit on me.?

Friends and family describe Chelsea as unforgettable, and possessing an indomitable spirit. That spirit came out full force on the soccer field, where as a sophomore Chelsea led her Norwalk High team to the 2003 state tournament. But she wasn?t only a star on the field. Chelsea shined academically too, graduating with honors this June. Absent the miracle they so wished for, Chelsea?s family says they will cherish memories of a girl who truly sparkled, who inspired a community and who never stopped loving the life she fought so hard to hold onto. A memorial service will be held Sunday at noon in the auditorium at Brien McMahon High School.