Erin Danelle Norman-Munoz

Erin Danelle Norman-Munoz left this world on Saturday July 2,2022, at the age of 39. Born to Daniel "Dan" and Bertha "Bert" Norman (Calanche) in the West Texas desert city of Odessa on June 3, 1983, Erin was petite in stature but had a big stage presence - she loved to sing and dance to early-80's pop hits, like 'Smooth Operator' and 'Let's Get Physical.' After the family relocated to the Rio Grande Valley, Erin's love of dance continued to grow as she took ballet and jazz lessons, and by the time she was preparing to graduate from high school, she was working toward a career in healthcare. In 2004 a degree in Biology from the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) brought her to the Alamo City, and it was here she developed a love for the place that would eventually become home. After graduating, her background in science and medicine led Erin to Dallas, where she would hold a variety of jobs, from teaching Anatomy and Physiology, to working as a dental assistant, and eventually finding a role in dental sales. A rising star, she was recruited for a new position that would bring her back to San Antonio, and it was here where Erin would truly make her mark - as her career took off, she purchased her first home, fell in love, married, and became a mother.

To know Erin was to know two definitive traits - intensity and generosity. She had a fire for life that extended to all aspects; from her famously quick gas pedal, to her love of trying new things. It wasn't unusual to hear that she had just returned from zip lining, climbing, painting, riding her bike, or most recently Samba dancing. Experiencing the world firsthand was also a great love of hers, we called her "callejera" because she loved to be out and about. In San Antonio she wanted to take us to the Farmer's Market at the Pearl, or to see the art at Blue Star. She had a soft spot for the music and culture of New Orleans, and enjoyed visiting relatives around the country, from the Bay Area in the West, to Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania out East. The most common and beloved trip Erin made, however, was to the mountains of El Paso, where her parents grew up - signifying her arrival by gazing at the giant star on the mountainside. In El Paso Erin asked her Tios and Tias to share stories about their childhoods, she played with cousins, reverently visited grandparents, ate chile relleno burritos, and after sunset wanted to drive up and see the sea of shimmering lights that looked like diamonds and emeralds camouflaging the Texas-Mexico border from atop Scenic Drive. She was the type of person you could count on to answer the 3am call to guide you through a hard breakup, or to drop everything and get you from the airport an hour away. She'd help you with a party by showing up early to set up, and then stay late to pick up the mess. Her commitment to uplifting others was exceptional; as an undergraduate she volunteered at the San Antonio Christian Dental Clinic (SADC) and later served on its Board of Directors, she donated blood regularly, she supported the College of Health Care Professionals (CHCP) with her time, talent, and materials, she helped found a diversity and inclusion program for her company, and donated her breast milk to a milk bank and separately donated her milk to a cancer-stricken mother. In her final act of giving, Erin donated her organs - registering herself as an organ and tissue donor ten years prior to her passing.

Erin is survived by her loving husband Jorge Munoz, their 6-month old daughter Alessia Sofia, as well as her brother Eric (Joanna Rodriguez), parents Dan and Bert Norman, as well as a list too-long of relatives, friends, and colleagues that lament her life cut short. Reflecting on Erin's passing, we should find comfort in the knowledge that her tremendous faith ensures her eternal rest. If you'd like to honor her memory, in lieu of sending flowers, please consider donating to Erin's cause of choice, the San Antonio Christian Dental Clinic, located at: 1 Haven for Hope Way Building 1 Suite 400 San Antonio, TX 78207, 210-220-2304 (https://www.sachristiandental.org/). Erin's Memorial Services will take place on July 23, 2022 beginning with a rosary (8:30am) and mass (9:00am) at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, located at 1819 Nevada Street, San Antonio, Texas 78203, followed by interment (10:45am) at Sunset Memorial Park and Funeral Home, 1701 Austin Highway, San Antonio, Texas 78218. A Celebration of Life will take place following the burial where her numerous circles of friends, family, and loved-ones will come together to share memories and lift up Erin's spirit.