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Erika Farris Obituary
Takoma Park, MD - Erika Dyste Farris, age 36, of Takoma Park, MD, died peacefully at home on August 25, 2020 surrounded by her loving family. She was born on Nov 7th in Sacramento, CA settling in Delaware after several cross-country moves. It was on a college study abroad trip to the Galapagos and Ecuador that she met her husband, Mike Shoenthal. She loved and respected the natural world enjoying the beach, mountains, hiking, camping, biking, music, art, gardening and traveling with her husband, children, friends and family.
Erika earned a B.S. in Natural Resource Management and an M.A. in Urban Affairs and Public Policy from the University of Delaware, receiving awards and scholarships. She was a research assistant for the WRA and began her career with the DC EPA in 2010 working for the Director, Office of Wastewater Management. Her colleagues describe her as collegial, with the best personality and character, brilliant and incredibly talented.
Erika is greatly missed by everyone she touched including her pets. She never complained and lived her short life with love and passion, genuinely and modestly. She was a devoted mother to her children and loving companion to her husband, her greatest joys in life.
Erika is survived by her mother Debbie, her husband Mike, children Rosalie and Leo, and her sister, Maren. She is predeceased by her father, James Farris and grandparents. A memorial will be held in the future and donations can be made to the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation in her memory.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Erika Farris
Kim and Michael Lowden
September 6, 2025
Every year I think about you and the day you passed I see Cardinals every year then. Miss your sweet smile
Karen Jury
September 28, 2020
I only knew Erika in our high school days, but I remember her as a supremely kind and conscientious person -- a deep thinker -- and I very much admired her. I'll never forget one summer night she invited a bunch of us girls for a sleepover at her house. We stayed up late to watch a meteor shower, lying in our sleeping bags in her front yard. I wish her peace now that she is among the stars.
Debbie Farris
September 15, 2020
Erika will not be forgotten and her legacy will live on through her children, Rosalie and Leo. We all miss her and wish circumstances were different. But as an article I am reading stated from a book called "What are you going through" by Sigrid Nunez; "This saddest time in my life that has also been one of the happiest times in my life will pass." The rest is "And I'll be alone" but that is not true because I have friends, family and the world around me.
Elizabeth Biggert
September 14, 2020
Erika was a small but powerful and very intelligent woman, who inspired us all by her fight against this cancer! I have known her her entire life and enjoyed over the years in visits to the east coast. Her spirit will live on for all of us.
Kim Lowden
September 14, 2020
Erica had a beautiful smile such a sweet face which was indication of a kind gentle personality like her mom and she will be missed
Rosie Dyste
September 13, 2020
One thing about Erika that always impressed me was how adventurous and athletic she was, climbing mountains and such. She was so modest and petite you never would have guessed her great strength. She also loved animals so much, even weird ones like skinks. She provided (a stray) and named my best cat ever, Sylvia, and for that I am forever grateful. She is greatly missed.
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