Peggy Lou Erickson

Peggy Lou Erickson, beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully on September 21st in Oregon at the age of 73.

Born on September 19, 1952, in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, she was the cherished daughter of Clara and Bernard Erickson, and the middle child between her sister Jane and brother Jim. Growing up in a military family, she learned resilience and adaptability as they moved frequently with her father's service.

In 1972, she followed her own call to service by joining the United States Army. She served her country with distinction, including active duty during Operation Desert Storm. She spent years giving to others as a nurse and surgical case manager. Even after her military years, her commitment to others never wavered. She found deep joy in volunteering at the Veterans Hospital, and later in life, in reading with kindergarten children, passing on her love of words and imagination.

A fiercely intelligent and independent woman, she was also deeply tender at her core. She loved the ocean, where she found peace, and she loved music and poetry, which spoke to her creative soul. She loved her two dear dogs, Natty and Adele and spoiled them with treats and long walks. She fought and won a battle with cancer from 2018 to 2020 with strength and courage, and soon after moved to Oregon to be close to her only daughter, Darcy. Her proudest moments came with the addition of her grandson Barrett and the birth of her granddaughter Ruby-who lit up her final years with joy.

Those who loved her will remember not the silence of her later years, but the brilliance, laughter, and love she brought into their lives.

She is survived by her daughter Darcy (Allyson) Erickson, her sister Jane (Luiz) Carvalho, her brother Jim Erickson, her grandchildren Barrett Ryan and Ruby Erickson, nieces Crista Prates, Kelly (Narender) Era, and Janna (Tom) Michaud, and nephew Matthew (Sasha) Erickson. She is preceded in death by her parents, Clara and Bernard Erickson, and her nephew, Eric Carvalho.

Her family will remember her as a woman of strength, compassion, and fierce independence, and will carry her spirit forward in the lessons she taught: to serve others, to cherish creativity, and to meet life's battles with courage.

A celebration of life will be held privately for the family.

Arrangements handled my Autumn Funerals-Bend. Please visit www.autumnfunerals.com to sign the online guestbook.