Erin Kathleen Gravel, 44, passed away November 21, 2014 at Massachusetts General Hospital from complications due to lupus.
Erin was proud of her Irish heritage. She attended Bedford schools, graduated from Manchester West High School in 1989 and from the University of New Hampshire in Durham in 1993.
Growing up, she enjoyed vacations with her family and summers at the family cottage at Lake Winnipesaukee. Although severely crippled with arthritis, this past August she got on a jet ski for a two hour ride on the lake.
In high school and college, Erin was active in chorus, including NH All-State and the UNH Select Chorus. At UNH she was very active in the APO Fraternity. She also developed a strong affection for UNH hockey and was a devoted fan at “The Whit”. After graduation she served for several years as board member and the membership chairman of the “Friends of UNH Hockey”.
Erin worked in the hospitality industry for many years mostly at the former Nashua Marriott, but also the Burlington (MA) Marriott, Sheraton Ferncroft in Danvers, MA and the Sheraton Wayfarer in Bedford.
She treasured the friendships she made in college and during her working years, many of them continuing throughout her life. In spite of the physical problems and limitations she endured, she never ever failed to share her perpetual smile and warm heart with everyone around her.
She was predeceased by her mother, Susan (Moynehan) Gravel in 2003.
She leaves her father, Ward F. Gravel of Bedford, with whom she lived, along with Molly her golden retriever; her sister, Jennifer (Gravel) Connor and her husband, Eric, of Manchester; and several devoted aunts, uncles and cousins who will miss their “red-headed ray of sunshine”.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Tuesday, November 25, 2014 at St. Elizabeth Seton Church, 190 Meetinghouse Rd. Bedford.
Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association, the Norris Cotton Cancer Center, or the Animal Rescue League of NH.