ERIN CATHERINE HALES

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ERIN CATHERINE HALES

(nee MOORHEAD)

September 20, 1965 - January 12, 2025

Born in Winnipeg, Erin grew up in St. Vital, attending Hastings, Dakota and Glenlawn. An avid music fan, she was part of Winnipeg’s early punk rock music scene. She married Richard Duguay in ‘86 and they headed to Vancouver in ‘88. A year later, they moved to Los Angeles so Richard could pursue his music career. In LA, Erin worked as a florist, and when they moved back to Vancouver in ‘91 she got a degree in Horticulture from Capilano College. Erin switched gears and worked selling classified advertising for various papers in Vancouver. In ‘93 she and Richard returned to Los Angeles, where they hung out on the Sunset Strip, partied with rock stars, and Erin found work selling Champagne Cruises. This is where she found her niche; she could sell anybody anything. Erin was living in West Hollywood when the big earthquake of ‘94 hit.

Moving back to Vancouver in ‘95, she embarked on a successful career with the Georgia Straight, Vancouver’s local entertainment paper, where she made many friends, with not just colleagues, but also clients. Erin and Richard bought a house in East Vancouver off Commercial Drive that they beautifully renovated. This is where Erin the Hostess, Chef and Horticulturist blossomed. Erin loved entertaining and threw a fabulous party.

Erin and Richard went their separate ways in 2006. Three years later Erin was running Bill’s Bar in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico with her husband Josh Hales. They spent their weekends in Sayulita and exploring Mexico’s west coast in their Silverado. After five years on the Pacific Coast of Mexico they packed up and drove across the country to Playa del Carmen on the Caribbean. Erin loved the beach life in Playa and formed many friendships with people from all over the world. She welcomed old friends in her home and loved showing them around Mexico. Always the gracious hostess.

Erin always had a dog and two or three cats, and they went everywhere with her: back and forth between Vancouver and LA, and all over Mexico. She loved all animals and was especially fond of coatis. Thanks to Alison, Edgardo and Eliza for adopting her babies.

In 2020 Erin was diagnosed with Frontal Temporal Dementia, a devastating illness that manifests in the prime of life. Her sister Kelly and brother Rod sprang to action and moved her back to Winnipeg for treatment. Thanks to Rob Bruce for braving the pre-vaccine COVID restrictions of the time and flying down to Mexico to bring her home.

It’s been a difficult four years, and Kelly and Rod are so grateful to the staff at Chez Nous, and Deer Lodge Centre for the loving care of Erin especially Angela, Carolyn, Lora, Vanessa, Shelley, Tara, Nicole, Nikky and Alex. Gratitude to LouAnna, Zoe and Laurel and most importantly to Mina Razaaq for her companionship and dedication to Erin. Thanks to Barb and Rob for looking after Kelly on all her extended visits from Vancouver.

Erin was predeceased by her parents, Catherine and Glenn and is survived by her siblings, Kelly and Rod, and many dear friends.

In the words of dear friends, Erin had an incredible presence, she was truly the life of the party, someone people were naturally drawn to. She made us laugh and loved to laugh just as much. Erin was a gem. She mattered in my life.

Please join us to celebrate her life at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 25, at The Worship Centre, 2nd Floor, Deer Lodge Centre, 2109 Portage Avenue.

There will be a Celebration of Erin’s life in Vancouver at a later date.

Donations in her honour to any animal shelter appreciated.

ETHICAL DEATH CARE

Simple Cremation & Life Celebrations

204-421-5501

Tributes: EthicalDeathCare.com

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 18, 2025