of Warwick, passed away peacefully May 12, 2008, with her family and loved ones by her bedside, in St. Anthony’s Hospital, after a long and arduous struggle against the aftereffects of a traumatic brain injury followed by brain cancer.
Born on November 11, 1971 in Brooklyn, she was 36 years old.
Erin was a graduate of St. Joseph Hill Academy, Staten Island and Marist College ’93, Poughkeepsie, NY. Erin will always be remembered for her chic sense of style, her unequaled sense of humor and her feisty personality. She was a skilled equestrian and her love of horses was the passion of her life. Virginia Martin of Borderland Farms was her life-long mentor.
Erin’s family would like to extend their sincere thanks to the entire staff of St. Anthony’s Hospital for the incomparable kindness and care she received there during these last few years.
Our gratitude also to Dr. Stephen Flanagan, Medical Director of Rusk Institute, Dr. David Thomas of Mt. Sinai Medical Center, Dr. Carlton MacGregor of New York Presbyterian Hospital, the oncology staff of Memorial Sloan Kettering Medical Center, Dr. Ralph Manktelow of Toronto General Hospital, Dr. William Montgomery of Massachusetts Eye & Ear Hospital, Dr. John Fiore, Dr. Shuang-Ping Wang, Dr. Stephen Hoverman, Dr. Sal Di Vincenzo, Dr. Chirplinski, Dr. Mandes Kates and Dr. Edwin Wiley, of Warwick.
Erin’s favorite weekly visitors were Fr. Michael Mc Laughlin and Fr. Patrick Buckley of St. Stephen’s Church. Fr. Flor Mc Carthy visited throughout each summer. She was also supported by the prayers of Msgr. Bernard Corrigan, Msgr. Joaquim Olendzki, Msgr. Desmond O’Connor and F. Thomas Byrnes. Each in their own way helped Erin carry her cross.
Lastly, a special mention of her cousin Bonnie Smith, RN, who responded to our calls for help night and day with a heart filled with love.
Erin is survived by her parents, Patrick and Mary Ellen (Joyce) Downes; her sister, Mary Kate; her sister, Tara and brother-in-law Bobby Higgins; her niece, Lilly and nephews, Robby and J.P. She was predeceased by her brother James (2003). She is also survived by aunts, uncles and cousins both here and in Ireland.
Visitation will be on Wednesday, May 14th, and Thursday, May 15th, from 2-4 & 7-9 pm at Lazear-Smith & Vander Plaat Memorial Home, 17 Oakland Avenue, Warwick. NY. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 am on Friday at St. Stephen’s RC Church, Warwick. Interment will follow in Warwick Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be sent to St. Stephen’s RC Church, 75 Sanfordville Rd., Warwick, NY 10990