Erika Lupe Diarte-Carr entered this world with the sunrise of March 16, 1994, and departed with the stars on October 11, 2024, leaving behind a tapestry of memories woven with joy, courage, and unwavering Love. Born and raised in Ogden, Utah, Erika's laughter reverberated through the valleys of her hometown where she also peacefully took her last breath. Erika embodied the spirit of love and strength as she valiantly faced her journey's end, succumbing to the trials of small cell lung carcinoma and cushing syndrome, yet her spirit remains a beacon of unfaltering courage for all who knew her.

Life for Erika was not just about the journey but about the people who made the journey meaningful. She is survived by her adoring children, Jeremiah and Aaliyah Carr, who were the epicenter of her universe. Erika navigated life's twists and turns with the support of her brothers Angelo Diarte, Jesus Aparicio, and Bryan McNally; her sisters Marisa Bringhurst, Analicia Diarte, and Tricia (Anthony) Barela; her steadfast father David Diarte; and the guiding stars of her grandparents, Mary and David Diarte-all these, her beloved kin, bear witness to the legacy she leaves behind. Her extended family embraced wholeheartedly through Aurelia Carr-including parents Rechell Gomez-Barnes, and George Barnes; siblings Gina Barnes, Vanessa Barnes, and Issac Barnes-will remember her as one of their very own. Many aunts, uncles, and cousins, too numerous to name but never forgotten, hold Erika in their memories as the laughter that filled their gatherings, the warmth of summer nights spent under stars, and the comfort in times of need.

While Erika's departure from this world leaves a void that can never be filled, her life serves as a compelling narrative of perseverance, joy, and boundless love. Our collective hearts are heavy with the loss of her mother, Sylvia Eggon; uncles Chava Aparicio, Louie Lujan, and Charles Diarte; brother JJ McNally; and nephew Michael Barela, who all predeceased Erika but are now reunited with her in a place beyond time and suffering.

From the days of her youth, Erika blossomed under the firmament of Ogden's skies. It was here that she first discovered the joys of the wilderness, the embrace of kin, and the tender call of motherhood. As a proud graduate of Ogden High School, she carried forth the values of her education, channeling her nurturing soul towards caring for others, serving with kindness and empathy as a caregiver at Rising Adventures. In her professional universe, she was not only a helping hand but a beacon of hope and joy to those she cared for. Her passions were the fuel that burned brightly within her soul. Erika found solace in the rapture of nature, camping at her family's property, a tradition etched from childhood memories that spanned summers drenched in sunlight and laughter. It was here where she played, grew and later shared these sacred grounds with her children, instilling in them the same love for the embrace of the great outdoors. Erika was a matriarch in her own right, dedicating every iota of her being to her children. She curled her protective love around them and taught by example the art of fighting through adversity with grace and might.

Family to Erika, was not just an anchor but the very sails that propelled her. Her life was an open invitation to celebrations, gatherings, and simple moments shared. Makeup and hair were not mere routines but expressions of her creativity and zest for life. Her voice rang beyond spoken words into melodies, for she sang with the passion of someone who didn't just hear music but felt it pulse through her veins. Friends, as we gather to honor the memory of this beacon of life, let us recall how she could illuminate a room with her laughter, how her loving heart brought us comfort in the darkest times, and how her courage—oh, her boundless courage—inspired us to face our own adversities with heads held high. In every chapter of her all-too-brief narrative on this Earth, Erika personified the virtues of a spirit that refused to waver in the face of life's tempests.

Remember Erika not through the lens of loss but through the vibrant life she led. Her journey was one of triumph, of love multiplying, and of bravery that shone even in the darkest of times. As we speak of her, let our words not be of farewell, but of celebration for a life well-lived, a love well-shared, and a spirit that will forever light the path for her beloved children and family.

In the ever-turning cycle of life and death, Erika taught us that every moment is an opportunity for joy, for unity, and above all, for love. Carry her legacy forward with laughter that echoes through generations, with love that knows no bounds, and with the courage to live a life as rich and meaningful as Erika's. We are all the authors of our own stories; let us write them with the same infectious enthusiasm and uplifting spirit that Erika did. Remember her, emulate her, and let her inspirational journey continue to guide us all.

Erika Lupe Diarte-Carr: funny, loving, courageous—a soul of immeasurable worth now crowned with Eternal peace.

Amen.

A Memorial Service will be held Wednesday, October 23, 2024 at 2:00 PM at Leavitt's Mortuary 836 36th Street in Ogden. Friends may meet with the family an hour prior.