Erika Ann Curran of Palo Alto Ca. passed away at 9:20 am on Friday, December 19, 2008. She was 61 years old.

She is survived by her beloved husband of 34 years, Frank Curran, and her devoted children Brendan Curran of Provo, Utah and Beth Curran of Palo Alto, California. She will be dearly missed by her mother, Mrs. Erika Cook; her brother Bill Cook, his wife Linda and their daughter Emily; and by her sister Patricia Dickey and her children Bryan and Erin. She also was a special part of the family on her husband's side and is survived by her mother-in-law Becky Curran; her sister-in-law Tina Curran; her brother-in-law Jerry Curran and his wife Betsy; and her brother-in-law Stephen Curran and his wife Anne. She was a beloved Aunt to ten nieces and nephews and eight great-nieces and -nephews on Frank's side of the family. She was preceded in death by her father, Edwin S. Cook and her father-in-law, Francis J. Curran.

Erika spent her professional career dedicated to helping families. She began her career as a social worker in 1969 and spent 22 years as the Family Treatment Specialist at the National Center for PTSD in Menlo Park, CA. During that time she worked with over 1,500 families. She will be greatly missed by her team, and by the thousands of patients and families whose lives she has touched.

She enjoyed reading, cooking, walking with her friends, traveling with her husband, and visiting her children and family. Erika will never know the breadth and depth with which she touched others. She will be greatly missed by everyone who knew and loved her.

A memorial service for family and friends will be held at the Washington Memorial Chapel in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania on January 10, 2009 at 11 am. She will be buried in the Washington Memorial Chapel Churchyard. Donations can be made to the Mrs. Erika Curran Memorial Fund established at the VA Palo Alto Health Care System. Your gift may be submitted to Vickie Baker, c/o VAPAHCS Voluntary Service (135), 3801 Miranda Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94304. Checks should be made payable to the VA Palo Alto Health Care System with a memo notation "PTSD - Post Fund 2415 in memory of Erika Curran," (a note may be enclosed with the same instruction). Arrangements are being handled by the Campbell - Ennis - Klotzbach Funeral Home, Inc., Main Street at Fifth Avenue, Phoenixville, PA. Condolences may be made online at www.PhoenixvilleFuneralHome.com.