Erica Richards

Erica Ann Richards, 33, died suddenly on June 8 in Worcester. Born in Framingham, she was the daughter of Valerie and stepdaughter of John Murphy of Hopkinton, and the daughter of the late Douglas Richards. She leaves her brother, Ross Richards of Chelsea, and stepsiblings Caitlyn, Colleen and Ryan. She also leaves aunt and uncle Felicia and Richard Comeras, and aunt and uncle/godparents Carla Pepka and late husband John Pepka and Robert Call. She also leaves aunt Gianna Regan and late uncle Robert.

Erica also leaves her niece, Bella, who she loved dearly and spent much time with. She also leaves cousins Andrea, Anthony, Samantha, Sarah, Matt C., Matt R. and many other cousins. Erica is predeceased by grandparents Chester and Elizabeth Pepka, and Buster and Eleanor Richards.

Erica attended Uxbridge Public Schools as a child and went on to graduate from Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School. She then earned her bachelor’s degree in education at Fitchburg State University. While at Fitchburg State, she was very involved with many different activities.

After college, she worked at Milford Federal Bank and Ocean Orthopedic Services before starting a job in special education at Woodland Elementary School in Milford, where she worked for and was loved by so many for the last 10 years. She adored her students and coworkers so much. Erica had a passion and love for special education.

Erica loved to travel, enjoying trips to Italy, France, Amsterdam, Ireland, Canada and the great beyond. Erica also had a love and natural talent for cooking. She never followed a recipe and created many amazing dishes. Erica, like her late grandmother Betty, was an avid Scrabble player and always enjoyed playing and winning against her mother.

Her family, friends and fellow teachers loved her for her extremely kind heart and her zest for life.

The funeral will take place Tuesday, June 18, at 9:30 a.m. from the Callanan Cronin Funeral Home, 34 Church Street, Hopkinton. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. in St. John the Evangelist Church, 20 Church Street, Hopkinton. Burial will follow in Mount Auburn Cemetery, Hopkinton. Calling hours at the funeral home are Monday, June 17, from 4-7 p.m.

Memorial donations may be made to the Aaron Zenus Foundation.

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