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Erin Fearl Ochsenschlager Benevento

1967 - 2019

Erin Fearl Ochsenschlager Benevento obituary, 1967-2019, Portland, OR

BORN

1967

DIED

2019

Erin Benevento Obituary

Erin Fearl Ochsenschlager Benevento
Sept. 5, 1967 - July 5, 2019
Erin was born in Sands, Mich., Sept. 5, 1967, while her father was in the U.S. Air Force, stationed at K.I. Sawyer AFB. In 1968, the family moved to Philadelphia for three years while Erin's father finished his medical training. In 1971, the family returned to Oregon, settling in Beaverton.
As a child, Erin was active in dance and gymnastics as one of the first students at Portland Gymnastics Center (PGC, now known as Westside Gymnastics and Dance Academy). One of many family stories from the era recounts the parade in Tigard in which Erin and a PGC friend walked the entire parade route on their hands. The blisters on their hands didn't have a chance to slow them down.
During junior high at Cedar Park, and then at Sunset High School, Erin gravitated towards competitive gymnastics. She was a key part of the Multnomah Athletic Club squad during the early 80s. In high school, injuries led her to switch athletic focus from gymnastics to diving. However, she still put her dance background to good use as a member of both the Flag Line and the Sun Flares dance team. As a senior in 1985, she won the state high school diving competition. Her points in that event provided the margin for Sunset to claim the overall team victory in swimming and diving.
After high school, Erin left drizzly Portland for the University of Arizona in sunny Tucson, where she competed on the diving team. While at U of A, Erin was very active in the Alpha Delta Pi sorority. Throughout her life, Erin remained close with many of her sorority sisters across the continent.
Erin moved back home to Portland after college. She worked for many years at Nordstrom, starting in the cafe and working up to manager for both the Petites and Point of View departments. As she always did, Erin made close, lifelong friends among her Nordstrom colleagues and customers.
In 1993, Erin married her college sweetheart, Dan Ochsenschlager. They had two children, Morgan and Zach. Despite divorcing in 2000, Erin and Dan worked hard, and with great success, to remain friends and to be supportive of each other as parents.
As Morgan and Zach grew, Erin left Nordstrom to become a sales executive in the title industry, first at Stewart Title and later at Lawyers Title. In 2017, Erin and her colleague Chris Antrim created APPy Hour, a weekly live video event. As a marketing tool, she and Chris showcased a (hopefully) useful smartphone app, along with a fancy cocktail at a different bar or restaurant for each episode. The main attraction of APPy Hour, though, was the humor and joy that the two stars put on display in every episode.
In 2014, Erin married Rick Benevento. Decades earlier in middle school, Erin and Rick had been part of the same carpool to gymnastics practice. When they married, they became life partners for what was far too short a time. They bought a house, a stone's throw from the middle school they both attended, that was large enough for their blended family of two adults, four children, and Erin's rescue dog, Marley. After moving into their home, they acquired two Bernese Mountain dogs, Scout and Trooper, to round out the family.
Athletics always remained part of Erin's life. She ran Hood to Coast several times. She completed the Rock & Roll half-marathon twice, as well as two Sprint Triathlons. She was just gearing up to train for a half Ironman when her illness was diagnosed. She loved attending the Bellevue Arts Fair with her family along with many other family traditions.
Erin is survived by her husband, Rick Benevento; children, Morgan and Zachary Ochsenschlager; and stepchildren, Gabby and Colton Benevento; Morgan and Zach's dad, Dan Ochsenschlager; parents, Jim and Darle Fearl; brother, Mike Fearl; aunts and uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and too many friends to count.
Celebration of Life -- and her final APPy Hour -- at 4 p.m., July 27, 2019, at the Multnomah Athletic Club. Erin was one of the happiest and most positive people you'll ever know. Please wear whatever you wish to her celebration, but know that dark-colored funeral clothes are not necessary. Erin loved flowers, so get some in her honor for someone you love. In lieu of flowers, Erin would be happy for any donations made to OHSU pancreatic cancer research, or the pancreatic cancer charity of your choice. Crown Memorial in Tigard.
Please sign the online guest book at www.oregonlive.com/obits

Published by The Oregonian from Jul. 10 to Jul. 14, 2019.
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Memories and Condolences
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I still can´t believe she´s gone. She was so special and we are all so lucky to have known and loved her.

Amy Donaldson

Friend

July 4, 2021

I think of Erin often, sometimes with sadness that she's gone, but mostly with a smile because of the wonderful person she was. It doesn't seem like a year has gone by since she passed. Thinking of Rick, and her whole family--tomorrow, especially.

Paula Bonallo

Neighbor

July 4, 2020

Erin, your love and light shines through, always! I see you in every fluttering butterfly! I love and miss you.

Julie Benevento Ball

Family

July 4, 2020

Rick, Darle, Jim, and family

I am so sorry for your loss and was so sad to learn of Erin's passing. Reading the remembrance brought back so many memories and reminded me of how much I shared with Erin in those early years MAC carpools with Erin and Rick, arduous yet character-building practices in the gym, Cedar Park Jr High, Sunset High School, and growing up in Cedar Hills. Even though I lost touch with Erin over the years, it sounds like she lived her life to the fullest and shared her joy and love with everyone around her. I'm thankful for the time that I shared with her and I'm sorry that her time here was far too short. Your family was always so generous to me and I have fond memories of our time together. Wishing you comfort and love at this incredibly difficult time.

Jennifer Matsumura

August 8, 2019

We all loved your sweet smile, great sense of humor and the happiness that you brought Rick. You will be missed.

Huck Cronin

July 23, 2019

In a time when things can be ugly in this world, Erin brought so much joy and happiness to so many of us. We are all better people for knowing her- she will be greatly missed. My continued prayers go out to Rick and her family and everyone that was touched by Erin.

Eric Weakland

July 19, 2019

Although I was never graced with the opportunity to meet Erin, I feel close to the the Benevento family. What a generous and open obituary the family has provided. So very sorry your family has lost the joy of years together.

Tom Hussey

July 17, 2019

I was given the gift of having Erin as my wife for 4.5 years and I will cherish every moment and memory we shared. So many days of laughing together! Our goal of growing old together was cut short and I will always love you babe! #usforever

Rick Benevento

Spouse

July 16, 2019

My beautifully joyful sister-in-law, with larger than life personality and infectious laugh will sing on in my heart forever. Laughing with you was and always will be my favorite. My love and prayers go out to the entire family. I love you dear brother, Rick Benevento.
Love, Julie Benevento Ball and Jason Ball

Julie and Jason Ball

July 15, 2019

We will always remember our trip to Eugene and the fun walk from dinner to Def Leppard. That was a fun night and now a great memory!
-Steven & Karen Livermore

July 15, 2019

May the hope and peace of Christ be with you and your family.
Patrick Tabor & Family

Patrick Tabor

July 15, 2019

Such a beautiful person, with your characteristic giggle and infectious laugh.
Our family has shared so many happy memories with you. Dear Erin, you have blessed so many with your warm personality and love. You are deeply loved in return, and missed by so many.

John and Carla Webber
Portland

July 14, 2019

So sorry Ric.

Jim Larsen

July 13, 2019

I remember Erin from Cedar Park when she was in my English class. She was a "sparkplug" in class. But I also remember her from gymnastics and swim meets where she was an outstanding athlete. My hear goes out to Rick and Mike, and the rest of the family. We have lost a truly wonderful person.

Paul Williamson

July 13, 2019

I loved having Erin in my department when I worked at Nordstrom. She was a delight to have as an employee and I loved her smile. She was always warm and friendly and though I rarely saw her in the following years of my career I was friends with her on facebook and followed her in her life with Rick her loving husband. I will truly miss her.

Jean Foutch

July 12, 2019

We've loved having both Rick and Erin as next door neighbors, and will miss her dearly. Her beautiful smile, sparkly personality, and infectious laugh will always be remembered.

Paula and Dan Bonallo

July 12, 2019

I think the most unique thing about Erin was her laugh. You always knew she was in the room without ever seeing her. One could not help but laugh when you heard it. She was always happy and upbeat and her energy will surely be missed by anyone that ever came in contact with her. I worked with Erin at Stewart Title and will always remember the many times we laughed about something. I wish peace for her family and I believe Erin's spirit will always be where there is laughter.

Nina Dodd

July 11, 2019

A beautiful life cut short far too soon. My heart breaks for her family and friends. My thoughts go back to when Erin and my daughter were maybe five or six years old. The girls dressed up in clown costumes we had in our costume box. Erin was so cute in the one she wore, which included a wig made of looped yarn. Sleepovers, gymnastics and dance classes, swimming at our rec center pool and so much more.

July 11, 2019

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27

Celebration of Life

4:00 p.m.

Multnomah Athletic Club

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