Erin Lawrie Elizabeth Alway's Obituary
Erin Lawrie Elizabeth Alway passed away, peacefully in her sleep, on May 2, 2018 at St. Joseph's Hospital in Tacoma, Washington after struggling with lung cancer for a year.
Born on November 25, 1942 in Pioneer Mines, British Colombia to John and Patricia Peters, she had a very full life. Erin, was a born artist. She saw the world in a technicolor, larger than life way and was usually very positive. In her youth she was known to have backpacked through Europe and Canada with her first husband Verne and had also traversed Mexico. Finally, she landed in Hawaii and knew she'd finally found a place she could call her home. It was there she met Howard Kau and, after being told she would be unable to have children, got pregnant at the age of 40 to a baby girl.
While living in Hawaii she worked as a teacher and an artist while continuing to stay in touch with her roots. She taught all grades from preschool to college and continued to travel with her daughter Aimee Kau.
She finally retired after becoming disabled at the age of 57 but continued to do art until her death.
Erin is preceded in death by her parents John and Patricia Peters and her brothers George and Hugh Peters.
She is survived by Her daughter Aimee Hunter, son-in-law Jonathon Hunter, brother Francis Peters, sister-in-law Wendy Peters, sister-in-law Tish Drake Peters, ex-husband Howard Kau, grandchildren Lucius, Kaiden and Valentine Hunter, nieces and nephews, and all the non-blood friends and family she created while living in Paradise.
For many, she was a source of love, wisdom and strength with a laughter that could never die. She was a person who didn't just get excited for you but got excited with you and will be missed by many. The world has become a little darker with the passing of such a bright soul.
Erin will be cremated and laid to rest in the Pacific Ocean after a Celebration of Life in Westport, Washington where her daughter and family now reside.
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