Erica Leona Phillips

HADLEY-It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved daughter, Erica L Phillips, who was taken from us too soon on Friday August 23, 2024 at the tender age of 24. Erica was born in Springfield, MA. She grew up in Hadley and was a 2018 graduate of Hopkins Academy and attended Holyoke Community College. She worked in the Food & Beverage industry for several area restaurants and was a past member of Hadley Girl Scout Troop 40522. She was her Mom and Dad’s little girl, barely 5 feet tall, but bursting with excitement, and energy, and enthusiasm. She was an amateur naturalist who felt as much compassion for downtrodden people as the toads that she would save that had become trapped in the basement. She somehow floated along above, and outside of, the practical, conformist side of human existence that is such a basic requirement for living---but that she somehow just didn’t have, and couldn’t succumb to. She loved snakes as much as tigers, and spiders & bees as much as butterflies. If she touched you, you never forgot her. She didn’t judge at all, at least not really, in her enormous heart, that must have taken up most of her body and brain. She infuriated her parents and teachers’ conformist expectations but ultimately won against those values as her death has for the first time, permanently clarified what is really important in the confused consciousness of her grieving family. Somehow, she learned these things in spite of everyone. Her passing has reduced a richness in her family and friends. Hers’ was a special life force, one that any words pitifully fail to capture. Erica was naturally artistic and had a talent for painting. She would also like to be remembered for her charisma, compassion for the lost, and her sharp wit and sense of humor. She leaves her loving parents; Randy & Janine (Ahearn) Phillips; her devoted twin brother, Ryan Phillips; Aunts and Uncles, including Susan Phillips, Marcia Shannon, Nancy & Scott Mackenzie, Sheri & Michael Pulido, and Daniel & Stephanie Ahearn; many cousins: Kelly, Jon, Emily, Reagan, Tim, Danielle, Nicholas, Colin & Dylan; many dear friends, as well as her beloved cats Honeybee & Scooter. Erica was predeceased by her grandparents, Norman and Leona Phillips, and Robert and Ida Ahearn. Calling hours will be private. To honor Erica’s love of all creatures, great and small, please make a donation in her memory to the Dakin Animal Shelter, 171 Union St, Springfield, MA 01105.