“Ms. Fabulous,” otherwise known as Erica Ann Gough Paul, was true to her nickname in every way. Those around her called her “Erica Fabulous” because of who she was and how she lived her life to the fullest.

Born to Harry and Kim (Ayotte) Gough on April 23, 1981 in Midland, Michigan, Erica joined her four-year old sister, Amanda, who was eager to help care for her baby sister. Weighing nine pounds at birth, Erica was a bundle of energy, and her good nature quickly endeared her to family and friends alike.

When Erica was five, the family had a great Christmas holiday at Disneyland, and

over the years they spent many vacations at Hilton Head Island. Erica loved to play in the sand and hang at the beach, but she was equally happy spending summers with Amanda down the road at their grandfather’s home. The sisters were inseparable with Dustin and Ryan, and they also spent time with their cousins and extended family.

With her outgoing personality and vigor for life, Erica’s childhood years were marked with accomplishment. She easily made friends, and her teachers loved having her in class. She excelled in reading and won a competition in Mrs. Frienze’s class for reading the most books. Her love of story and words was unleashed in her writing and spelling skills, and in fifth grade, Erica won the 1992 Coleman Schools Spelling Bee. Yet her energy wasn’t contained in academics alone; she was active in ballet, tap and dance. She had a flair for entertainment, so it was no wonder she was enthralled with the movie “Gone with the Wind,” watching it over and over again.

During her middle school years, Erica was very involved in the Midland Center for the Arts, where she learned to be a make-up artist. She and her friend Amanda co-hosted the tri-cities “Take Five” local television broadcast. Being an extrovert and a fast learner, Erica was comfortable in just about any situation. And being the best of friends, Amanda and Erica maintained a special sister relationship all through school and into adulthood.

In high school, Erica sat still for nothing. She participated in softball, cheerleading, playing the flute, marching band and playing the piano regularly (though not in tune). During her freshman year, she was on the homecoming court, and her

father had the proud pleasure of driving her in the parade in his Corvette.

Erica graduated from Coleman High School in 1999 and first attended Delta College in mid Michigan. However, she wanted to experience university life and soon transferred to Northwood University in Midland, Michigan and joined the Delta Zeta Sorority. Reminiscent of high school, Erica was on the homecoming court one year, but new friends, like Roxy and Mandy, made for a very different experience, especially when she met and fell in love with Michael Paul. The two of them could see a future together that would make life all the more exciting.

At Northwood, Erica majored in Fashion Marketing and Management and interned with a clothing store. She also worked as a server at Kokopellis and Oscar’s Restaurants in Midland

and, on special occasions, at the family restaurant Red Oaks in Sanford. By the time she graduated in 2004, Erica was eager to take on the world, and most recently she was employed with DLT Solutions.

Erica’s first order of business after graduation was to move to Virginia with Michael, who was her fiancé by then. The greatest day of Erica’s life became her wedding day, and her father commented that he had never seen a bride have so much fun. Erica and Michael were married on October 18, 2008 at the Vienna Presbyterian Church, where she continued to live out her faith in everything she did.

Being Erica, she sent special cards to family and friends on which she had drawn snails with special messages.

As an animal lover, she was especially fond of Bassett Hounds and the childhood family cat, “BJ,” whom she affectionately called “Fat Cat.” Insects, however, were not on her pet list. One time when the family hiked and kayaked along the lakeshore of Sleeping Bear Dunes, Erica made it her last time, because she could abide the bugs. Her idea of vacation fun was staying on Mackinaw Island and shopping.

Erica was a social butterfly and a free spirit. She bombed around in her creamed-colored, black topped and racing striped Mini Cooper. She loved to sing and knew every word of every song she sang (though, once again, she very rarely sang on pitch). In her own words, Erica said she would like to be remembered as Fabulous, funny, brave, inspirational,

loving, a good friend, daughter, wife, sister, who loved life and fought to stay as long as possible…and was an Amazing Singer!

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Such a typical Erica attitude was enough to make family and friends laugh, but in later years, they would be smiling through their tears. For at the young age of 26, Erica was diagnosed in June 2007 with colon cancer that had spread to her liver. This, by far, was the toughest challenge she had to face. But with love and support of her husband Michael, parents Kim and Harry, sister Amanda, her wonderful

in-laws, Joe and Ginny and her great friends, Erica’s personality remained extremely upbeat and positive. She continued to see the best in people and was always helpful and thoughtful of others. She was proud and strong, often protecting others from hurting. “Team Fabulous” was created to support Erica, yet it was she who had the knack of making people feeling good, whether they had just met her or had been friends for years.

Erica’s parents talked with her by phone almost every day in the last few months,

and she always closed with, “Love you Daddy and love you Mom.” All her life, Erica had been Daddy’s little girl, and he couldn’t be more proud of her grace and courage. She was a good daughter and sister, kind hearted and easy to love. To her husband, she was his “Princess,” and as he cared for her in the last four months, Michael and

Erica became closer as husband and wife. They were known by many as a great couple, and everyone knew he loved her very much.

Erica was determined to live her life as a fighter, and great strength came from her faith.

She showed wisdom in all things and was humble at all times. It is said that Erica’s parents tried to teach her about God, and in turn she taught them about a close relationship with God—she

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believed it and lived it. In effect, Erica made her parents better parents and, as her dad said, a better man and father. Her family is forever grateful for those life lessons.

During her illness, Erica formed a special bond with her Georgetown Oncologist Dr. Marshall; her Memorial Sloan Kettering doctors, Oncologist Dr. Kemeny and the great man who gave her two years more of life, Dr. DeMatteo. Erica had a very special friendship with Sage Bolte, her Oncologist Social Worker, who remained by her side to the end of life on this earth.

Erica Gough Paul, aged 29, died on Sunday, March 6, 2011 at her home in Reston, Virginia. Erica is survived by her husband, Michael Paul of Reston, Virginia, parents, Harry Jr. and Kimberly Gough, sister, Amanda Gough all of Traverse City, grandmother, Betty J. Fanger all of Traverse City, Michigan, Judith C. and Harry Gough, Sr., step-grandmother, Cindy Ayotte, father and mother-in-law, Joe and Ginny Paul of Reston, Virginia.

Erica was an advocate for colon cancer awareness and a spokesperson for Chris4Life and the Colorectal Cancer Coalition and an ambassador for Access to Medical Imaging Coalition and Yes: Beat Live Tumors. Erica’s advocacy for others were taken national and internationally

via the web and in print publications.

Please visit Erica’s webpage at www.lifestorynet.com, Traverse City to sign the guest book, to share a message or memory with her family. Erica’s family would like contributions to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center at www.mskcc.org. Erica’s family is thankful to CaringBridge.org for the website and to Northwood University staff for hosting Erica’s Celebration of Life.

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