Patrice Anne Erickson

Patrice was born in Hartford, Connecticut on March 4, 1964, and was the fourth child to James and Lucille DiGangi. On October 6, 1990, she married the love of her life, Craig Allen Erickson. After a brief move to Plano, TX, she and Craig settled in Rochester Hills, Michigan. She worked for Handleman Company in Troy, but later discovered her true passion was found in the healing powers of her oil painting.

Patrice was a graduate of the former George J. Penney High School in East Hartford, class of 1982. She earned her Bachelor of Science Degree from Central Connecticut State University and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with High Honors from the University of Michigan-Flint. She put her heart and soul into her paintings, many of which can be found in prestigious institutions, fine art galleries, and private homes in the U.S. and abroad. It was through her landscapes that she found peace and serenity in an otherwise challenging life. It was her wish that the healing powers of nature would be reflected in her paintings, thereby enlightening and uplifting the spirit of the viewer. Patrice was a loving wife, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend. Always giving of her time and talents. She will forever be remembered for her infectious smile, wit, compassion, bravery, and grace even under the most trying of circumstances. She touched the lives of so many through her kind thoughts, actions and her incredible works of art. If you were one of the fortunate to have known her, consider yourself blessed.

Patrice was predeceased by her parents James and Lucille DiGangi. She is survived by her husband Craig A. Erickson, her sister Donna M. Holland and her husband Bob of Stratford, CT, her brother James J. DiGangi, Jr. and his wife, Susan of Bristol, CT, her sister Tina M. Mendes and her husband, Mark of Middlefield, CT. Also left to cherish her memory are her niece Marissa Silvestro and her husband, Patrick, her niece Christina Holland, her nephew Michael Holland, her niece Nicole Yanosy and her husband Tyler, her niece Gianna Mendes, and grand-nephew Patrick Silvestro.

A Service to celebrate Patrice’s life will be held in Michigan on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, at 7 pm, at the Pixley Funeral Home, 322 W. University Drive in Rochester. Fr. Brian Chabala officiating. The family will receive friends Tuesday from 4 to 8 pm at the funeral home.

A time of visitation will be held Monday, April 15, 2024 from 8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. at D’Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Blvd, Wethersfield, followed by a Service at 11:30 a.m. at St. John Church, 5 Saint John Court, Cromwell. Interment will follow in Mt. St. Benedict Cemetery, 1 Cottage Grove Rd., Bloomfield.

In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a donation to the National Scleroderma Foundation at scleroderma.org.