Erin O'Brien McNerney

1983 - 2015

Erin O'Brien McNerney, 31, passed away at her home in Santa Ynez, Calif., on June 7, 2015. Born in Anchorage, Alaska, to Denney and Susan (Keisor) O'Brien, she moved with her family to California at the age of 5. In 2006, she married Jeff McNerney on Maui, Hawaii, and together had two sons. Erin was only 12 when she lost her beloved mother, Susan, who inspired Erin's love of baking, gardening and entertaining family and friends. She particularly enjoyed being at the family lake property playing with her boys. Her family will fondly remember Erin's sweet tooth: she loved her candy and ice cream, anytime, anywhere. She is survived by her husband, Jeff; sons, Harry McNerney III and Denney McNerney; father, Denney O'Brien and his wife, Joanne; brothers, Duane and Shawn O'Brien; sister, Denae Utne; sister, Shannon Hertan with brother-in-law, Richard Hertan and niece, Susie; in-laws, Mary Lou and Harry McNerney Jr.; sister-in-law, Dena Allison and nephew, Riley; and a large Alaska family including grandparents, Charles and Shirley Keisor; aunts and uncles, Jim Keisor, Kathy and Jay Wisthoff, Stephen and Darlene Kearney, Hal Keisor and Lester Lukin, Cheryl and Dean Steinke, Jean Johnston and Tammy Keisor; and cousins, Jimmy, Melanie, Jack, Jesicca, Amy, Pattie, Jeffery, Hayden, Amber, Brianna, David and Melissa. Erin's entire family was deeply saddened by her sudden passing and say they will remember their redheaded beauty as a strong and loving daughter, sister, niece, wife and mother. She was beautiful inside and out and had a smile that could light up a room. She will forever be in the hearts of her grieving family who all expect she is now in the loving arms of her late mother. A Celebration of Life will be held on July 11, 2015, from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. at Dinosaur Caves Park in the city of Pismo Beach, Calif. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital NICU; 805-879-8980; P.O. Box 689, Santa Barbara, CA 93102.