Cecile Barbara Erickson of Oroville passed away suddenly at home on May 2, 2010 at the age of 71. She was born on March 2, 1939 in San Francisco, Calif., to Carl and Edith Seward.

As a child they moved to Sonora, Calif. From the age of 14, Cecile attended Mount St. Mary Catholic boarding school where she graduated in 1957. Cecile thoroughly enjoyed, respected and loved the nuns. She kept in touch with her St. Mary’s classmates throughout the years. She had a keen desire to be in the field of nursing and spent the next 40 years serving as a nurse in California and Washington. She met and fell in love with Clarence Erickson, a United States Customs Officer, and settled in Calexico, Calif., with the next move to Nogales, Ariz. In 1975, the Ericksons moved with their five children to Oroville. The family relocated in 1978 to North Delta, B.C. due to a promotion Clarence received from Customs and served at the Vancouver International Airport for the next 10 years. Cecile and Clarence then moved to Grand Forks, B.C. to serve at his last post with customs. Finally in 1994, they decided to retire and move back to their home, which was located on Lake Osoyoos in Oroville.

She was very much loved by all her children and will be sadly missed. She truly loved and cherished life with her family and friends. Her favorite activities included: dancing, horseback riding, swimming, skiing, camping, fishing, bowling and she was an accomplished poetic writer and had numerous writings published. Cecile thoroughly enjoyed being a Girl Scout Leader throughout the 70’s and she was a member of the Ladies Elks Club, National Gun Club of America and an animal rights activist supporting the SPCA and PETA.

Cecile is survived by five loving children: Rodney Erickson of Bellingham, Kerrie Smith of Bellingham, Christine Hachie of North Vancouver, B.C., Kate Erickson of Omak and Kelly Bethel of Bellingham; one sister, Carolyn Fry of Orland, Calif.; seven wonderful grandchildren: Jessica Weed, Kara Smith, Brandon Bethel, Chrystle and Alyssa Rose, Nathan and Tyler Hooge; two great grandchildren: Alexander Alspaugh and Kade Smith and her two beloved schnauzers, Lilly and Daisy.

Cecile was preceded in death by her loving husband, Clarence on Dec. 14, 2009 and her parents.

Services will be held on Saturday, May 15, 2010 at 11 a.m. at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Oroville with Father Alex Zepeda, officiating. Interment will follow at the Oroville Riverview Cemetery.

Bergh Funeral Service of Oroville/Tonasket in charge of arrangements.