I remember the day that Erika was born! We were so excited to welcome her to the world, and now we are so sad to have to say good-bye to her prematurely.

Erika accomplished so much in such a short time. She got married, received degrees, and had a fulfilling job. She even lived in a different geography/state than her parents! She did all of this despite numerous surgeries and heartaches, especially as a younger child.

We have always admired Erika’s spunk and focus. She is and was amazing!

Love, Bob and Karen Kendall

From Erika's Uncle Bill: I am a proud owner of an abstract watercolor picture painted when Erika was 4 or 5 (?) and beautifully framed by Chris as a Christmas present.  It still hangs on my wall after all these years. Erika will always live in our hearts.

We had the privilege of knowing Erika since birth and watched her grow through the transitions of life. From her youth through adulthood every time we saw her she was lively, upbeat, and positive. She was kind, gentle and always thoughtful of others, and so often made us laugh with her spunk and good humor.
Erika, we shall miss you. Our fond memories of you will help us through this very sad time.

What a strong spirit Erika had. She had a joy of life and oh, what fun it was to be with her. Growing up she was filled with such love for her family and friends and this never changed. Family gatherings and vacations would find Erika wholeheartedly and quite excitedly involved in whatever was going on…from rounding up everyone to try a new game, to playing a competitive round of team ping pong, to exploring a nature trail led by her Uncle Doug. During these visits Erika would always take time to talk with each person individually, from my own children who were a bit younger to her great great aunts. Erika connected so beautifully with everyone.
I can see that Erika was surrounded by incredible friends. At her shower and her wedding it was easy to see that these girls all loved Erika and she loved (not liked a lot) them back. At the same time I saw the amazing bond between Chris and Erika. Not soon thereafter at the wedding I saw this love with her husband.
I am so glad that my family has had this time with Erika. We have enjoyed both vacations and family events that will always be cherished. Erika will be deeply missed .

May Erika's kindness and generosity live within us forever. I am very grateful to have met Erika through the Phoenix Chi Omega Alumnae group over the past couple of years. She always brought a bright smile and cheeriness to every event and she was always a pleasure to be around. I will always remember her for her warmth and friendliness. Love in Chi Omega.

I like to picture Erika on her wedding day. She and Ryan were so clearly happy to have found each other. Erika smiled the entire evening and greeted everyone so graciously, a lovely lady.
I bought a necklace set from Erika recently. When I see it, I think of how she faced challenges with spunk. She was not afraid to try things.
I will also think of how she inspired those around her. 
Marsha and Bill Paulsen

Erika was a spunky miss who always said yes and lived a remarkable full life in her 36 years. A mentor and inspiration among her family and friends. Xoxo

Erika exemplified how best to live life. She worked hard and made the most of her talents to enrich the lives of others and to achieve happiness for herself. She faced challenges with a positive outlook, energy, and courage. I will always remember her smiling, enjoying the company of other people, and bringing joy to her family and friends.

Although we didn't know Erika, as we read the wonderful tributes to her we learn what an inspiring and special person she was. As friends of Chris and Ken we share the grief of those who loved Erika and we know her legacy will live forever in the hearts of many.

Erika and I met during our years at UC Davis and while she was always a hard worker, she also had plenty of time to enjoy the silliness of college life. I enjoyed our times together as roommates and friends and will forever miss her kindness, generosity, upbeat outlook, and quips about Monty Python. I'm sure she'd be the first to say: "Always look on the bright side of life!"

I loved Erika with all my heart. I accept her passing because I have no choice. She met challenges in her life with determination and grace. I will remember her as the happy, creative, loving, successful young woman she was. She will be greatly missed!

You are forever in my heart,
Catie

I met Erika at camp in Colorado when we were 14. Her warm, fun, kind personality and love of laughter, made it very easy to be friends with her. I am so sad to hear that she has passed, her spirit will not be forgotten, and I will always cherish the memories that I have with her. Love a prayers to all who are grieving and will miss her.

We have great memories of Erika from the earliest
Years when all our kids attended the birthday parties.
Erika always had Abigail smile and a warm greeting.
She faced adversity from the outset and met every
challenge. Erika reached her full potential and a lot
of people can't say that. We will all treasure our
memories of this sweet young lady .
    Fondly, Chris, Eleanor, Brian and Ashley Bowles

We have known and loved Erika since the day she was born. How honored we were to be chosen as her godparents. We watched Erika grow up as a joyful little girl with her love of music and animals and of course her free spirit. Megan found in Erika a big sister as our families spent so many birthdays, holidays, and weekends together. As she matured, Erika grew into a lovely, talented, confident woman who faced her challenges with courage, continued to look for the good in others, loved and enriched the lives of her family and friends, found her prince charming in Ryan, and made a difference in so many lives. We will always miss you and continue to love you.

With love, Judy, Tom, Megan and Zack

I met Erica several times and do agree that she was a very special person. She was the apple of her mom's eye. Christine was such a special friend to me and I am grieving for her and her family. Erica will truly be missed by many. Thankfully, we have wonderful memories of her that will stay with us forever.

Erika and I met when we were three years old and became the best of friends. In her short time here, she accomplished so much and inspired so many. She was an incredible person - smart, funny, kind hearted, and compassionate. I was so saddened to hear of her passing. I will always cherish my childhood memories with her and she will forever remain in my heart.

Sassy, fantastic Erika who always pushed me to be better and more positive -- and better accessorized. She inspired my love of the Pythons, she helped me laugh my way through high school and beyond. I was privileged to call her friend for over twenty years, and I'm going to try to live up to her memory for the rest of my life. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go buy a pair of shoes...

To me Erika was more than spunky, she was a battler. She battled health issues. She battled social conventions. She battled interpersonal challenges. She battled to achieve the education level she aspired to. She battled job barriers. And it wasn’t just that she took on these challenges, and refused to let them define her, she did it with such class, intellect and joy.  Erika won all her life battles.

But there was one more battle at the end of her short, precious life that ultimately was more that even Erika could overcome.  Yet her role model life has left behind such a high standard for all of us that I can honestly say she even won her last battle.

Chuck

We are touched by all the beautiful stories about Erika. She has that wonderful smile in all her pictures. We know how proud Chris is of her lovely daughter and her accomplishments. Our love and heartfelt thoughts are with Chris and Ken and their family. Whatever soothes your spirit, comforts your soul, and brings you peace that's what you are wished at this sad time.

One can sense Erika's love for life and kind-hearted soul in every picture of her. We never had the good fortune of meeting Erika in person. But we felt that we knew her, vicariously, through sweet Chris (and of course, Ken). Every conversation about Erika was filled with smiles, warmth and laughter. Her life on this earth was way too short, but Erika lived her life to the fullest. She will be forever missed but never forgotten.

We sadly never met Erika but with stories shared from Chris and Ken, we know she was an exceptional daughter, wife, sister and aunt. With all the lives she has touched, her candle will burn brightly as we share stories of her short but accomplished life and the deepest love of her family.

I have known Chris & Ken for 10 years but have never met Erika in person. However, I know how much she was loved by Chris and her family, and from that I know she was an exceptional person. It is my loss to have not seen her smile in person. We are all grieving together at her loss.

Erika, you left us earlier than we expected. What a very profound reminder that we cannot control all things in life. However, you stand as an amazing example of how life should be lived to the fullest! I will miss your sense of humor and touching posts on cats. It takes a gentle, loving, patient soul to foster those little ones. I will always remember your kindness, joy, and dedication to family. In your memory, I will work hard at letting my family and friends know how important they are to me---just like you did so often and made me smile. This is how I will honor your memory. Love, Christy Tilley

I am so sorry I never had the opportunity to meet Erika...from all the comments and loving memories...I know she was a very special person! I know I would have liked her...especially because of her love for rescued kitties ..we would have been kindred spirits! I always enjoyed listening to Chris talk about her "special" girl..what a very proud and loving mom!!! My caring thoughts...to Chris, Ken and Ryan.

Erika, you are missed more than you'll know. You are a beautiful example for us all. Your dedication to helping those less fortunate did not go unnoticed. You touched the lives of many families and countless children benefitted directly from your love, kindness and expertise. You didn't stop there, though. You took in and fostered unwanted kitties and loved them like your own. Many of them were given a new lease on life.

So many people talk the talk, but can't manage to walk the walk. You were able to do just that. You made the world a better place and we have been robbed of your kind soul. We will not forget your example and will honor it in our lives and instill it in the lives of our children. We love you and miss you.

Love, Dana, Kevin, Ryan, Mia and Teddy

I was so saddened to hear about Erika's passing. She was such a kind, caring person.

Laura Clark Zuniga
Chi Omega - Omicron Kappa

Condensing my thoughts at this time about all the wonderful attributes I could ascribe to my remarkable daughter is truly difficult but still a great opportunity. I honored her all her 36 years. She was petite of stature but mighty in positivism, determination, compassion, and indomitable spirit. Erika was inspirational as she not only met challenges (even as a young child) but exceeded expectations, all the while wearing her pretty smile and bringing smiles to others with her wonderful sense of humor. 
As her mother I have been and will be comforted by so many who also are thinking so many beautiful thoughts of this strong and impressive Erika, who was taken from us all far too soon.

While knowing Erika through the words of her mother, we were always impressed with Erika's accomplishments and her positive attitude and spirit. We cannot fathom the depths of pain of losing a child especially someone as special as Erika. Our hope and prayers are for Chris and the family that all of the wonderful memories will remain forever.

I was blessed to have Erika come into my life nearly 19 years ago when I first met her Mom. She impressed me immediately with her enthusiasm and zest for life. I didn't know then that I would have the honor of becoming her step-dad, but I was indeed so honored. It was with great pride that I watched as Erika blossomed into the young woman she became. She met every challenge with a smile and had a special ability to just make you feel good when you were around her. I know her marriage to Ryan brought special happiness into her life and I also know that being Auntie Erika to her five step-nieces and nephews was very special to her. My three children loved Erika deeply and will miss her deeply, just like the rest of us. It is so sad to see this bright candle go out. I will miss her as if she had been my own daughter.

We never had the opportunity to meet Erika so it is wonderful to see her photos and read the comments of her parents and others. So young, so beautiful.....too soon to leave us, but it is obvious to see the indelible mark she made on the lives of those who did know and love her. We only regret that we weren't so privileged. Our love to Chris and Ken and the rest of her family.

Jim and Patsy Purvis