Alys Marina Erickson

passed away peacefully on September 19, 2015, after a prolonged illness. She was born in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada on May 3, 1961.She grew up in two countries, the US and Canada and was equally at home in both places. As well, she spent several summers in Greece, her father's home. Her formative years were spent in Boston where she attended St. Claire's High School, Boston College, The University of Massachusetts (B.A with a major in English) and Northeastern University where she received her MBA. While working as an intern at IBM in Burlington, Vermont, Alys met her future husband, John Erickson.She was an accomplished pianist, as well as a great tennis player, swimmer and sailor. In San Diego, June 2010, she realized a special dream to run a marathon before her 50th birthday. Even as a young girl, she loved to participate in everything that presented a challenge. She was full of joy and her smile lit up the room wherever she went.Her greatest passion was her children and her role as mother and homemaker.She loved to cook and often invited friends and neighbors to her beautiful and inviting home. Her church meant much to her and she served in many roles including singing in the choir and teaching Sunday School.Alys was a special person who touched the lives of everyone she met.Alys is survived by her loving husband, John, her precious children, Lars and Sofia, her parents, Caroline Smith and Constantine Giannakakis, her step father, Tony Smith, her brothers, Peter and John, her mother-in-law Solveig Erickson, her brother in law Carl (Amy) and several cousins, aunts, nieces and nephews.In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Clearity Foundation for Ovarian Cancer. (clearityfoundation.org).A Memorial will be held to celebrate Alys' life on October 3 at 2 pm at Bethany Lutheran Church on Bainbridge Island.