Barbara Grace Erickson

Barbara Grace Erickson of Peoria, Arizona, went to the Lord October 31, surrounded by family, after a long battle with cancer. Barbara was born on November 24, 1964, in Boston, MA, to Harold & Alice Erickson of Wellesley Hills, the youngest of four children. She attended Northeastern University, majoring in Communications. During high school and college, she played trumpet in the school’s marching and concert bands. Barbara enjoyed reading, skiing, crocheting, and riding motorcycles, and was an avid movie buff and science fiction fan.

Over the years she worked at a marina in Boston and several car dealerships as a parts supervisor. While in Phoenix, Arizona to attend Motorcycle Mechanics Institute, she joined the Vineyard Church. It was there that she found her true calling. She volunteered in worship arts, taking care of lighting, filming for videos, and other activities. In 2010, she became the Vineyard Church North Phoenix’s first Technical Director. She loved designing the lighting for services, running the production of services, and writing and directing skits for the church’s Women’s Night Out comedy sketch nights.

Barbara was very adventurous. She skied (snow & water), pit crewed at the Isle of Man motorcycle race, rode a motorcycle, raced go karts, and even tried her hand at racing side car motorcycles. She traveled to places like Japan, and even worked on a tall ship, the HMS Rose. She was a dedicated friend and family member.

She was predeceased by her parents, and is survived by her sister Jean & her husband Paul Moroney of La Jolla, CA, her brother Robert Erickson & his wife Joy of Meredith, NH, and her sister Ruth Doucette of Reading, MA. She is also survived by several nieces & nephews: Elizabeth Moroney, David Moroney & his wife Lisa Buch Moroney, Eric Moroney, Samantha Moroney, Tom Erickson, Allison Pettengill & her husband Alex Pettengill, and Jeremiah Doucette. She is also survived by 6 grandnieces and nephews.

The interment will be held at Woodlawn Cemetery, Wellesley, MA on Saturday November 25, at 11 AM. A memorial service will be held at the Vineyard Church, North Phoenix at a future date. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to The Elizabeth Hospice in San Diego or the Vineyard Church North Phoenix.