Kind, generous, loving, empathetic, animal lover
Erin was a generous and empathetic person. Her affection for her loved ones was evident in her commitment to helping those in need, often sacrificing her own needs to offer support, even when she was experiencing hardship. Animals were especially dear to her, and she dreamed of assisting with animal rescue. She was the proud owner of her rescue dog, Anya, and gave her the best life a dog could have. Erin loved fashion, shopping, and music. Any chance she got, she would go to music festivals to see her favorite artists and spend time with her friends.
After attending the Aveda Institute in Milwaukee, Erin worked hard to open her own hair salon. It was a goal she had always had and was proud to achieve. She took great pride in her work and relished the opportunity to use her skills to make people feel good about themselves. She was a skilled hair and fashion stylist, she had a good eye for creating looks that went well together. Her goal for the future was to continue to build her business and to one day own a home.
Erin loved holidays, and time spent with family. Even as an adult, her Gram would hide Easter eggs, and she and her older sister Amie would race around the house giggling to find them. Birthdays were Erin’s favorite. She loved birthday lunches and dinners at her favorite places with her friends and family. Erin also loved her friends tremendously. Her mother, Sharon, recalls how several of Erin’s friends told her how Erin supported them throughout COVID when they needed money and meals, even though she was also out of work.
Erin’s addiction was a source of great self-consciousness, shame, and guilt, leading her to put a lot of energy into keeping it a secret from her loved ones. She couldn’t stand the idea of disappointing her loved ones. Sharon says one of the hardest parts of watching Erin struggle was seeing the anxiety and depression it caused her and watching how hard it was for Erin to manage her time and do daily tasks. Sharon felt helpless watching Erin try to manage on her own, knowing she needed support but struggled to ask for it.
What Sharon misses most are Erin’s beautiful smile and kind heart. She also misses the daily check-ins and the phone calls they had together whenever the moon was full, and knowing that no matter where they were, they were looking at the same moon.
Since Erin’s passing, Sharon has been involved with Lost Voices of Fentanyl and has worked to get legislation passed in Wisconsin to decriminalize the possession of test strips. Erin’s disease has changed how she views those with SUD and mental health issues. Sharon’s hoping for a future where people see past the illness and recognize the wonderful people behind it who deserve love and kindness.
Erin’s mother, Sharon Marshall, provided information for this narrative.
December 7, 1992-May 9, 2020-Age 27
Portrait Artist: Jeremy Hebbel
Narrative Writer: Victoria Estes
