Erin Elizabeth Crowley

Erin Elizabeth Crowley 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. Erin was a proud graduate of St. Michael's Catholic Academy in Austin. There she was supported and encouraged by countless friends, families, and teachers during her courageous battle. She was an example of determination as she maintained a 3.9 grade point average during her illness 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'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. She is survived by her parents Tim and Debbie Crowley; brother, Kevin; sister and brother-in-law, Megan and Jeremy Gibson of St. Louis; maternal grandparents, Otmar and Betty Bohac of Wichita Falls, TX; aunts, uncles, and cousins: Berry, Pam, Jessica, and Leslie Crowley of Austin; Lisa, Jim, Seamus, and Hazel Smith of Seattle; Sean, Ali, Ireland, and Michael Crowley of Lubbock; Terry, Karen, Blaine and Nathaniel Crowley of Haddonfield, NJ; Mary, Dennis, Katie and Abbie Dillon of London, U.K; Matt, Vicki, Vince, and Brendan Crowley of Topeka, KS; Patrick and Robbie Crowley of Portales, NM; Jim Crowley of Austin, TX; Richard, Denise, Chris, David, Patrick, and Michael Bohac of Dallas, TX; Diane and Darryl Housey of Austin; Patty, Kevin, Aimee, Joseph, and Matthew St. Jacques of Dallas, TX. She is preceded in death by paternal grandparents, Michael and Patricia Crowley of El Paso, TX, and uncle, Michael Crowley of Austin. The family would like to thank the many doctors and nurses who have taken care of Erin over the past five years but especially: Dr. James Sharp and oncology nurse Jennifer Barron, Dr. Jack Louis, Dr. Jeffrey Kane of Austin; Dr. Robert Krance and Dr. Susan Blaney of TX Children's Hospital in Houston; all the nurses at Specially For Children-Hematology and Oncology; and the nurses and staff of the Austin Children's Hospital Green Unit. The Hospice Austin team, Nurse Carlene Wyndham, Dr. Sarah Legett and Julie Greathouse were so very helpful and understanding in Erin's final weeks and helped make her last hours at home peaceful. There were many others who have helped support Erin and her family since February 2002 including Cynthia Fitchpatrick, Mary Frasher, and the Child Life Counselors, the social workers of Candlelighters & Any Baby Can, and the loving communities of St. Theresa's Catholic Church and School and St. Michael's Catholic Academy. For all of these the family is especially thankful! A Vigil Service and rosary will be held at St. Theresa's Catholic Church, 4311 Small Dr. in Austin, TX on Sunday, April 29 at 7pm. A Mass of Resurrection will be offered at St. Theresa's at 10am on Monday, April 30, followed by a reception. Private burial at Austin Memorial Park will take place after the reception. Memorial contributions can be made to the Erin Crowley Foundation, P.O. Box 26776, Austin TX, 78755, benefiting a scholarship in her name at St. Michael's Academy, Dell Children's Hospital, or the new Ronald McDonald House. Obituary and guestbooks online at wcfish.com and www.caringbridge.org/tx/erin crowley