About Erin
Erin Elizabeth Crowley was born in Austin , TX on September 13, 1988 and entered peacefully into her new life in Christ on April 25, 2007 after a five year battle with cancer. She was a kind, sweet little girl who grew into a strong, courageous, and beautiful young woman despite the illness she suffered from. She never wanted to be defined by her cancer; she wanted to rise above it.
Erin loved school—maybe not the homework part—but the friends, the teachers, and the fun she had there. She was blessed with wonderful schools and teachers: St. Theresa’s for Pre Kindergarten-6th, St. Louis for 7th and 8th, and then on to St. Michael’s Catholic Academy, where she graduated posthumously in 2007. At SMCA she was supported and encouraged by countless friends, families, and teachers during her valiant battle. During her illness school was even more important to Erin because it was her lifeline. Her friends and teachers were her fun, her therapy, and her link to a normal teenager’s life. Her goal each day was to get to school and her strength and courage helped her make it there despite nausea, weakness, and fatigue.
She was an example of determination as she maintained a 3.9 grade point average and was awarded admission to six universities with scholarships for the fall of 2007. She also received numerous academic awards during her high school career. Writing was always dear to her heart and she looked forward to studying that field in college. Many have enjoyed her writings, especially her poetry, since grade school.
Erin was a member of the National Honor Society, Art Club, Co-Editor of the Literary Magazine, and a Eucharistic Minister. She maintained her yearly service hours as a volunteer at St. Michael’s Thrift Shoppe, the Oncology infusion room where she was often a patient herself, the office of Candlelighters/Any Baby Can, and Caritas while maintaining a rigorous physical therapy schedule as well. A final, loving gesture from her fellow students was given to Erin on April 14, 2007 when she was elected Junior - Senior Prom Queen.
Erin always impressed us with her bravery as she battled her illness. The night before her first surgery in February of 2002 at the age of 13 she remarked that it would be okay if she didn’t wake up from the anesthesia, saying: “I’ve had a good life!”
Erin’s prayers were also insights into her soul and strong faith. She prayed nightly, giving thanks for all of God’s gifts to her, for her family, for all the people who prayed for her and for their own needs, for all those touched by cancer and their caregivers, and on occasion she added that if God truly wanted her home in heaven that He bring her quickly to Him. And in the end, He did bring her home quickly and peacefully.
Erin’s kind spirit, bright smile, and loving heart will be sorely missed. She loved to dance, sing, read, go to movies, write poetry and play sports. Being with friends and family was most important to her. Erin possessed great strength, perseverance, and an ability to overcome incredible odds and physical challenges. With her courage she led us to believe that each day is a blessing and an opportunity to create lasting memories. Even in her illness she was an inspiration to others. She was a true gift from God and He blessed us with her for 18 wonderful years. She will remain in our hearts forever.
Erin loved school—maybe not the homework part—but the friends, the teachers, and the fun she had there. She was blessed with wonderful schools and teachers: St. Theresa’s for Pre Kindergarten-6th, St. Louis for 7th and 8th, and then on to St. Michael’s Catholic Academy, where she graduated posthumously in 2007. At SMCA she was supported and encouraged by countless friends, families, and teachers during her valiant battle. During her illness school was even more important to Erin because it was her lifeline. Her friends and teachers were her fun, her therapy, and her link to a normal teenager’s life. Her goal each day was to get to school and her strength and courage helped her make it there despite nausea, weakness, and fatigue.
She was an example of determination as she maintained a 3.9 grade point average and was awarded admission to six universities with scholarships for the fall of 2007. She also received numerous academic awards during her high school career. Writing was always dear to her heart and she looked forward to studying that field in college. Many have enjoyed her writings, especially her poetry, since grade school.
Erin was a member of the National Honor Society, Art Club, Co-Editor of the Literary Magazine, and a Eucharistic Minister. She maintained her yearly service hours as a volunteer at St. Michael’s Thrift Shoppe, the Oncology infusion room where she was often a patient herself, the office of Candlelighters/Any Baby Can, and Caritas while maintaining a rigorous physical therapy schedule as well. A final, loving gesture from her fellow students was given to Erin on April 14, 2007 when she was elected Junior - Senior Prom Queen.
Erin always impressed us with her bravery as she battled her illness. The night before her first surgery in February of 2002 at the age of 13 she remarked that it would be okay if she didn’t wake up from the anesthesia, saying: “I’ve had a good life!”
Erin’s prayers were also insights into her soul and strong faith. She prayed nightly, giving thanks for all of God’s gifts to her, for her family, for all the people who prayed for her and for their own needs, for all those touched by cancer and their caregivers, and on occasion she added that if God truly wanted her home in heaven that He bring her quickly to Him. And in the end, He did bring her home quickly and peacefully.
Erin’s kind spirit, bright smile, and loving heart will be sorely missed. She loved to dance, sing, read, go to movies, write poetry and play sports. Being with friends and family was most important to her. Erin possessed great strength, perseverance, and an ability to overcome incredible odds and physical challenges. With her courage she led us to believe that each day is a blessing and an opportunity to create lasting memories. Even in her illness she was an inspiration to others. She was a true gift from God and He blessed us with her for 18 wonderful years. She will remain in our hearts forever.
