Your relationship to Tumbler Ridge most likely speaks to your relationship to Erin Wanvig, who passed away October 4. You might remember her as Dr. Frank N. Furter as part of the semi-annual Rocky Horror Picture Show. Or as the organizer of the Tumbler Ridge Teen Idol event. Or as the writer of many a Tumbler Ridge-centric play. Or as one of the volunteers for any number of events from teen plays to the Winter Carnival to answering the phone for TR Cares.
I knew Erin in most of these contexts and more besides. She used to write for the paper back when I was just a newly minted editor, and I would bump into her constantly. So I put out the call to her friends to get some stories, which are shared here.
Dina Janzen says “I have so many memories of my dear friend Erin. She was one of my best friends in Tumbler Ridge, we would go out walking every morning and one day she tripped over the curb and Erin was going down and I just grabbed her jacket and lifted her back up, and we joked about me saving her life that day and it became quite the joke from then on. Erin was amazing. She was kind, generous, cheerful, funny and boy did she know how to throw a kareoke party! Cheers my friend, until we meet again!”
Jerrilyn Kirk “E-Rock had a heart even bigger than her smile.
“There are some people who leave such a mark on a community that even after they’re gone, you can still feel their presence in every corner. Erin was one of those people.
“If you ever needed help — with sound equipment, an event, or just a listening ear — Erin was there before you even had to ask. She had this wonderful way of showing up, quietly and consistently, in the moments that mattered most. Whenever we hosted the All-Candidates Forum for the Chamber of Commerce, she was always the first to offer to help with the sound system, even when her own health made it difficult.
“She would always joke that she liked me because I was easy to spot in a crowd — thanks to my height and hair — which helped since her vision wasn’t the greatest. But the truth is, Erin always saw what really mattered — people, their hearts, kindness, and community.
“I used to have her over for dinner, and every time I made shepherd’s pie, she’d light up over the mashed potatoes. It became a little tradition — I’d make extra just for her to take home and she’d be so thankful, you’d think I’d delivered a five-star meal.
“She faced more struggles than most of us could imagine, but she never let that stop her. From children’s talent shows to Murder Mystery nights, Erin was at the heart of so many events that brought laughter and joy to Tumbler Ridge. I used to tell her she was the Tumbler Ridge mascot because, honestly, everything that happened in town — she had a part in it! Whether it was organizing, volunteering, or cheering people on, Erin was there, sleeves rolled up and heart wide open.
“When I found out Erin had passed, I tried to wrap my head around what the world would be like without her. It didn’t really hit me until Monday morning, when I started remembering all the moments we’d shared — the laughter, the long chats, the mashed potatoes, and her endless willingness to lend a hand. That is when my eyes started leaking and I grieved the loss of my friend.
“One of my favourite memories is from the TR Cares Golf Tournament. Erin and I were “hole monitors,” which, she thought was hilariously ironic because she was visually impaired. We spent most of that beautiful, sunny, happy day laughing about her trying to spot the golf ball. I’ll never forget her giggle that day — pure, contagious joy. And at some point we decided we both needed rapper names. She became E-Rock and I became J-Bonz! The photo I’ve attached is from that tournament, a moment that perfectly captured her spirit: bright, funny, and full of life.
“There’s going to be a big empty space in our community with her gone — one that can never really be filled. But in the echoes of laughter at local events, in the music, and in the warmth of shared memories, Erin will always be there. She left us with a legacy of kindness, humour, and heart — and that’s something no illness could ever take away.
“Rest easy, my friend. You made the world a better, lighter, and kinder place — and we’ll always work to keep that light shining for you.
One couldn’t ask for a better friend than Erin Wanvig. She was a true friend, kind and caring and loved this community immensely.
Barb Schuerkamp “Erin packed as much as possible into her time here with us as she could. Having spent a lot of time in hospital as a child, she was anxious to get on with things and threw herself into all her favourite activities with enthusiasm. She loved to laugh and have fun.
“Every time I called Erin on the phone I’d ask, “is your mommy home?’, because she had such a child-like voice and we’d both laugh. This went on for many years. We also share a window on the front of the Health Centre, if you look closely.
“This past week has been very hard. I see her everywhere I go. We spent a lot of time at the Community Centre for drama, adult and kids, TR Junior Idol, Rocky Horror rehearsals and shows, Tumbler Ridge Arts Council activities, Holly Jolly and the list goes on. The reminders are constant which is why I know she’ll be remembered so fondly by so many.
“Guess what, Erin? Remember those white sheets we were looking for, for the Emperors Challenge grape night? Well, the Favelles’ didn’t have them after all… I found them in a great hiding place in my basement this morning. I laughed and knew you would too!”
Zena Conlin, Executive Director, Tumbler Ridge Museum and President, Tumbler Ridge Community Arts Council. “I first met Erin in 2019 as one of my newly inherited employees at the museum where she had years of experience working part-time and on-call at the front desk. Her genuine warmth was infectious and welcoming. She was always eager to share the most exciting fossil discovery stories with visitors and was an amazing ambassador for our town.
“I remember a particularly overwhelming day early into my tenure, with just her and I in building. I was incredibly stressed, and I just couldn’t get my head wrapped around anything. We easily slipped into conversation about the museum, its history, and the challenges that come with moving and settling in a new place. We shared our life stories, the good and the bad, completely losing ourselves in conversation for the entire day. By the end, I felt a lot less lonely and less anxious about the monumental task ahead. That was day two, maybe three of knowing her. Her immediate and unconditional friendship was a balm.
“Then she introduced me to the Arts Council, and I had the privilege of witnessing firsthand the absolute dedication she had to making Tumbler Ridge rich in creativity and community. After a several year hiatus, she decided she had collected enough misfits to restage the Rocky Horror Picture Show, a slightly terrifying but exhilarating idea. The performances were fun, but the rehearsals were for me, for many of us in a post-Covid and slightly disconnected world, the highlight of my week. She was just strict enough to get what she needed from us, but those rehearsals were full of the kind of belly laughs that can only come from dry wit and dark humour. She had a particular talent at bringing the right people together.
“She dedicated her life in Tumbler Ridge to enriching the community. She helped see the museum through a significant transition, she encouraged the young, and challenged the less young, to pursue performing arts, and quietly helped, to the extent we’ll probably not ever truly know, everyone in every way she could.”
Rose Snyder was there at the end. She says “Erin talked a lot last week about what she wanted to put on facebook after she had passed. This is what she choose to post.
‘I loved Tumbler and all that Tumbler gave me over the years and now. Most of all it is the great friends that became my Tumbler family. Everyone that helped me in every way. Please know how greatful I am for all of you. Thank you all and please try to be kind to one another…”
She passed peacefully on Saturday evening and is now pain free.”
The spelling mistake is deliberate. “That way, everyone will know it really was Erin who said that,” says Rose.
Trent is the publisher of Tumbler RidgeLines.
