Born on April 4, 1975 in Burbank, California, Erin lived in the San Fernando Valley with her family until she was six years old. Her family then relocated to Kirkland, Washington, where she attended first through eighth grade at Holy Family Kirkland (HFK) Catholic School. After graduation from HFK, Erin attended Eastside Catholic High School in Bellevue, Washington, graduating in 1993. Erin then went on to higher education at University of Washington (UW), where she graduated in 1997, earning a Bachelors of Arts in Communications, Journalism.
After graduating from UW, Erin started her career as an Investment Banking Analyst with Montgomery Securities (Banc of America Securities) in San Francisco, California. She went through several acquisitions during that time and enjoyed her time in the Bay Area, even while commuting for several months to Charlotte, North Carolina. Erin left the Bay Area and returned to Seattle for several years working for Quellos (Blackrock) before moving to Manhattan Beach, where she worked at the Financial Relations Board. It was there in addition to her time at Nasdaq that Erin began to specialize in investor relations for publicly traded bio-technology companies. This specialization created numerous successful opportunities in the bio-tech hubs of both Seattle and Boston over the next 13 years. At the time of her passing, she held the position of Senior Director, Investor Relations & Corporate Communications for Ziopharm Oncology in Boston, Massachusetts.
Prior to starting her career, Erin enjoyed many years of soccer, skiing and playing a variety of sports throughout her childhood. Erin loved to cook, travel and adventure around the world. She jumped from a plane, a bridge and ran with the bulls along the way. Erin had a strong love for her family, including her Irish heritage and thoroughly enjoyed the peace and serenity of the ocean. She made friends easily wherever she went with her generous spirit and sense of humor.
Erin is survived by her father, Don K. Cox (Edith), her mother, Susan M. Emerick, sister, Kristen A. Johnson (Christian), brother Donn K. Cox (Tania), sister Kelly M. Haley and sister Katie M. D’orazio (Chris), nieces and nephews (Hannah Johnson, Emily Johnson, Jack Johnson, Kevin Cox, Caroline Cox, Cooper Haley, Giovanni D’orazio, Kira Haley, Sicily D’orazio and Elliott D’orazio) and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
A Catholic funeral mass will be held at Holy Family Church in Kirkland, Washington on Thursday June 10 at 11:00 am and Christian burial will follow at Holyrood Catholic Cemetery in Shoreline, Washington.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, an organization that Erin was deeply connected with given the impact Alzheimer’s had on several loved ones, including her mother and grandmother.
May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face; the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.
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