Erica Christine Pimentel

Born in the Philippines on December 7, 1981 to parents Evelyn and Ricardo Roces, Erica was an only child and, being the first grandchild, she quickly won the hearts of her grandparents. Her childhood was filled with family and grandiose birthday parties attended by all the kids in the neighborhood. She was an adorable, sweet child who shared her dolls and her toys with playmates. Her generosity started at an early age, and she would help anyone who needed help. She also had a tremendous love for pets -- her Japanese shitzu named “Stud” was her constant companion.

Erica attended elementary and high school at St. James Catholic School and completed an Associates Degree in Hotel Management while working full-time at Subway sandwiches. She started her career in the hotel industry at Best Western where she met her husband David. He was a guest at the hotel who fell in love with the beautiful front desk associate. She helped him fix his broken TV remote control which led to a courtship, then to a marriage that lasted her lifetime.

David and Erica made Las Vegas their home. David worked in the fire sprinkler industry while Erica worked at the Doubletree Hotel -- their lives were just starting. They wanted to create a family, starting with Erica’s son from a previous relationship, Emmanuel. Since Erica was a young mother, her relationship with Emmanuel created a unique bond, perhaps a bond shared exclusively between a young mother and a young child. They found humor and goofiness in the simplest things and inevitably laughter ensued whenever Erica and Emmanuel were together.

Life was busy and on its way. Erica started a web storefront in eBay and Etsy called Sin City soaps. She made beautiful soaps and bath products that sold throughout different parts of the world. She was proud of the products she had created and wanted to expand her soap business with David. She was also promoted to a Front Desk Supervisor at the Doubletree hotel, and her smile burst with pride as she announced her promotion to the family. She was good at what she did, she loved her job and interacting with people.

Unfortunately, stage 4 breast cancer menacingly made its way to her. At age 25 she was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma and her brave battle with this invasive, destructive disease began....

During this time Erica devoted her efforts to cancer organizations. She felt that her voice needed to be heard to remind her young generation that cancer does not discriminate. She was first misdiagnosed by a doctor and dismissed of possibly having cancer because of her young age. Because of this, she made sure to speak about her story and perhaps make a difference even in one person’s life.

Her bright, beautiful, bubbly spirit was embraced by our Lord on August 7, 2011. She is survived by her grandmother Josefa, her mother Evelyn, her father Ricardo, her spouse David, her son Emmanuel, her loving family and hundreds of friends.

We will still celebrate her 30th birthday because that is what Erica would want us to do. She would want us to live life full of laughter and to surrender “all our hope in God.”

From Erica’s desk:

“There are things in life we cannot explain. Life takes us in unexpected twists and turns and when that happens all you have to do is stay positive and take it a day at a time.

In my journey, I draw my strength from the heart…my love for life, family, friends and my deep faith in God. Every scar and pain reminds me of the courage and strength that I went through and how far I have gone in my journey, the past that made me what I am today. A stronger person, 29 years of age, mother, wife, daughter, grand daughter, niece and a friend that will take on anything that comes my way. I am now a fighter, warrior and a true survivor. I am blessed because at a young age I learned the true meaning of life and that is not to waste precious life, because life is a gift.

Live today and everyday to its fullest that is why today is called the present. If someone ever tells you there’s no hope…remember, as long as there’s life there’s hope.”