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Chris Erickson Obituary
Graveside services in honor of Chris will be held 1:00pm Monday, October 24, 2011 at Valley Memorial Park Cemetery, Mile 12.8 Old Glenn Hwy. in the "Butte" Palmer, Alaska.
Chris was born April 5, 1964 in Vancouver, Washington, the daughter of Richard F. Erickson and Julia M. (Hajduk) Erickson. She moved to Alaska in 1964, and had lived in Kake, Kodiak, and Wasilla, Alaska. Chris obtained a Ph.D. in psychology from Arizona State University, Tempe. She was later employed by George Washington, Temple, and Fresno State Universities. Chris spent a year as a Robert Wood Foundation Fellow, working for the U.S. Senator Tom Harkin. She taught counseling at the George Washington University and strove to improve public awareness of mental disabilities through research and publications. She retired from the university in June and returned to Alaska.
The family wrote "Chris loved Alaska; always returning to be with her family. Her nieces and nephews were her children; she was famous for giving them extraordinary birthday parties. She loved camping, gardening, hiking, playing cards and family dinners. Her family and friends will miss her more than words can say."
Chris was preceded in death by her Hajduk & Erickson grandparents. She is survived by her husband, Christopher Hanna of Wasilla, AK; parents, Julia (Hajduk) Erickson & Richard Erickson of Wasilla; brother, Richard Erickson, Jr. of Wasilla; sister, Deanna Sandidge of Wasilla; nephews, Will and Nate Sandidge both of Wasilla; nieces, Jamie Sandidge, Nikole and Ryan Erickson all of Wasilla and Taylor Erickson of Fairbanks; nephews, Alex Rosenburg of Wasilla, Earnielee, Allen Michael and Seth Sandidge all of LA; aunt, Wilma Whealy of Anchorage; cousins, Jessica and Sarah Whealy both of Anchorage; uncles, Ray Hajduk of OR and Fred Hadjuk of Los Angeles, CA; cousins, Ray Hajduk of CA, Brenda Hajduk of WA, Geri Lee of WA, Kenna Jutte of WA, Chuck Hajduk of OR.
Arrangements were cared for by Valley Funeral Home.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Chris Erickson
Sponsored by Her Husband.
Scott Beveridge
November 19, 2011
Chris was a wonderful person, counselor and professor. She was always very easy to talk to and will be missed significantly by students and colleagues. My thoughts and prayers for her friends and family.
David Gitlin
November 18, 2011
Dr. Erickson contributed so much to the counseling field, and brought joy to those around her. She will always be remembered and greatly missed.
November 11, 2011
Colleague and friend; advocate and compassionate helper. I remember Chris for her humor, her commitment to helping people with mental illness, and her passion for changing the system that delivers services to those who need help. I am proud to have worked with her and to know that she touched so many lives. I remember with joy the time when her GW family and her Alaska family met one June in the beautiful countryside she called home. I hope her spirit wanders her beloved mountains in peace.
Maureen McGuire-Kuletz
November 7, 2011
Chris was my colleague at GW in the counseling department. She was always upbeat and optimistic. I will miss her very much.
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Katie Pasour
November 7, 2011
Dr. Erickson was my advisor and professor during my Master's program at the George Washington University. She was one of my favorite professors and helped me in countless ways throughout my academic career at GWU. She provided guidance, support and inspiration to so many of us and I cannot imagine the counseling program without her. Dr. Erickson had such a warm presence and way of explaining things that made them easy to understand. She wanted so much for her students to succeed and she gave us the foundation to do just that. I owe much of my professional identity to her and will never forget the lessons I learned under her instruction. She touched many lives and we are forever better for having known her. My thoughts are with her family.
November 7, 2011
Dr. Erickson had a lively spirit and was full of life, it is hard to imagine that she is no longer with us. However, I know her sprit and energy live on. She was a wonderful professor who truly loved what she did- this was evident in her lectures and compassion for her students. I appreciated her generosity, kindness, and zest for life. My thoughts go out to her family at this difficult time- please know that this amazing woman will forever be remembered.- Mandy Freeman (FL)
sam steen
November 2, 2011
Chris was one of the first to reach out to me when I began working at GW...she not only offered a realistic perspective about the university, but did so with humor, kindness, and humility. I've benefited from this tremendously and look forward to passing this wisdom on to others...in peace.
sam
Marilyn Wesner
November 1, 2011
Chris was a colleague at GWU. I always enjoyed being around her because she was such a positive person. Her sense of humor and warm personality is what I will remember most. My sincere condolences to her family and many friends.
Shaista E. Khilji
November 1, 2011
Chris was a colleague at GW. I remember her as a warm and sweet person. It is unfortunate that she lost the battle of her life- but she will always remain in our hearts. My thoughts are with the family.
Eve Yenzer
November 1, 2011
Dr. Erickson was my professor and mentor at George Washington University. She was by far the best professor I have had throughout my educational career and I will forever be indebted to her for all that she taught me. She pushed me to be a better person and counselor and I will never forget the important role she has played in shaping my career and life. I am very sorry for your loss, she will be missed by many.
Paige Holden
November 1, 2011
Dr. Erickson was a wonderful professor and adviser! She was extremely supportive and inspired me to become a better counselor. I will never forget her helpful suggestions and kindness during our advising sessions. I am extremely lucky to have gotten to know her and learn from her, since she was so intelligent! I am very sorry for your loss.
Jessica O'Connell
November 1, 2011
I never had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Erikson, though she was one of the professors most loved by my peers at GWU and I was advised to take her if I could. I am so sorry for your loss. From what I've been told, she was a funny, moving, and passionate woman and professor. She will be missed by the GWU community.
Pat Schwallie-Giddis
November 1, 2011
Chris was a very special person. She became my friend the day she and Rich Lanthier started at George Washington University 12 years ago with me. She was a wonderful mentor and colleague as she helped me adjust to an environment I'd never worked in before called higher education. Although Chris was much younger than I, she taught me many things over the past several years, especially about compassion, dedication to a cause, and commitment to students. She was and will remain a real hero to me and many others as well. My memories of Chris include seeing her shine in the classroom as she was helping students learn how to be real counselors. I also have very fond memories of both of my visits to Alaska, and getting the opportunity to meet her wonderful family. She will have a lasting impact on all of those whose lives she touched. She indeed touched mine and I will miss her very much.
BC
October 29, 2011
I am sorry for you loss. May the God of comfort who strengthens us in our trials and hardships sustain you at this most difficult time.
2 Cor 1:3,4
Michael Eisenhauer
October 28, 2011
Dr. Erickson was my professor, advisor, mentor, and one of my greatest supports at GWU. I left her office feeling that I could accomplish anything I set my mind to. And while and when I accomplish the goals we discussed together, she will continue to be remembered as helping to lay down that foundation. Thank you, Dr. Erickson.
Abigail Greer
October 26, 2011
Dr. Erickson was a wonderful professor. Her instruction and influence will be present for years to come.
Megan Doughty Shaine
October 26, 2011
I have such wonderful memories of Dr. Erickson as a warm, dedicated (and funny!) professor and internship instructor...how fortunate I feel to have experienced her kindness, encouragement and steadfast guidance at the very beginning of my counseling career. As her impact ripples on, she will be deeply missed. My thoughts are with her family and friends.
Jessica DiPietro
October 26, 2011
Dr. Erikson was a loving and supportive professor and person. I took three classes with her and enjoyed her wisdom and insight very much. She was always available to advise and listen to me and the other students and I deeply appreciate her time and guidance. She has touched so many students and will be greatly missed.
My thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends.
Marcia Jackson
October 26, 2011
Dr. Erickson was instrumental in encouraging me to apply for the doctoral program at GW after completing the school counseling program. If it were not for her encouragement and support, I would not be Dr. Marcia Jackson today. I thank God for her life and that our paths crossed at a critical time in my life. You will never know how many you touched and how deeply your loss will be felt. Rest in peace dear soul!
Mandy Carpency-Schlosburg
October 26, 2011
Dr. Erickson was one of those people who always took time to help others. No problem was too big or small for her to stop and assist. I remember many years went by after I graduated from the counseling program. I contacted Dr. Erickson for some advice not thinking she would remember me after all of the many students who had come through GW, but she did. She was so kind and willing to go above and beyond for her students. What a wonderful person. She will be greatly missed.
Suzy Wise
October 26, 2011
As one of Dr. Erickson's students and as a professional colleague, I couldn't have felt more supported in my work and counselor development. Her strength, caring nature and spirit encouraged me more than she could ever know. I cherish countless memories with her and of her. Her voice and guidance will always be with me. I will never forget the impact she has made on my life and I only hope I was as impactful on hers. She holds a truly special place in my heart as a mentor, teacher and friend. My thoughts are with all who loved her.
Jean LaFauci Schutt
October 26, 2011
When I think of Chris, I think of her dedication in helping and teaching her students and the clients they served. Through working with her, I became a better supervisor. She has touched many people and through her work her memory lives on. My thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends.
Rich Lanthier
October 25, 2011
Chris and I arrived at the same time in DC at the GWU. I'll always remember (and have missed, during the last few years, while she worked tirelessly to live) our impromptu lunches together and working the sandtray as we talked about work issues. Chris left the sandtray with me, and anyone who wants to feel connected to her can visit my office for some sand time. I'll always remember Chris’s love for nature, and her passion for helping those less fortunate. Another striking memory for me it the integrity under which she worked with others.
I send my most heartfelt condolences to her family and friends...
Lindsey Mitchell
October 25, 2011
Wisdom and passion lives on through the students a professor inspires. I will always remember the things Dr. E taught me and will miss her a great deal. When I think about my time at GWU, I think of her and it puts a smile on my face. She helped make me a better student, counselor and professional. I will always hold a special place in my heart for her!
Liz Witmer
October 25, 2011
Chris was an inspirational mentor, professor, and social policy advocate. She gave so much of herself to her students in the service of their learning to become counselors. Her impact on the GWU counseling programs is far reaching, with many of the students indicating that they came to the university because of her. She is dearly missed by faculty and students alike. Our thoughts are with her family.
Ester Ruiz
October 24, 2011
On the day of her wings,
Chris flew up high and
merged with the light.
I will miss her and carry
her in my heart.
Rebecca Dedmond
October 24, 2011
Chris was an inspiration to me in our work together at GWU. The memories of the wonderful time with Chris and her family as they shared their home and heritage in Wasilla and throughout Alaska with the GWU faculty will always be among my fondest memories.
My thoughts amd condolences are with each of you.
Warmly,
Paul Tschudi
October 24, 2011
I am holding you all close to my heart during this sad time. Chris was a much loved and admired colleague here at GWU
Her gentle smile and concern for her students left their mark on so many.
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