“Death, be not proud, though some have called thee

Mighty and dreadful, but thou art not so. “ John Donne

Erin Elizabeth Mulvey Abarca died peacefully on Nov. 6 at her home at 82 Mungertown Road in Madison. Erin was 56. She leaves her beautiful daughter, Mia Abarca; her husband, Luiz Abarca; sisters, Shauna Fitzgerald and Lisa Mulvey; and her parents, Dan and Nancy Mulvey.

“You can shed tears that she is gone

Or you can smile because she has lived.”

She grew up on Beechwood Drive in North Madison, termed by her as “The Capital of Madison.” After attending Madison schools, Ryerson, Brown, and Hand, she graduated from Providence College, whereby many of her family attended. Before she found the love of her life, Luiz Abarca, she delved into various employments but always showed a love of growing plant life. After their marriage, Luis and Erin began a landscape service. On March 10, 2009, Erin gave birth to Mia Isabella, a gift from heaven. Because of her mother’s talents, Mia became involved in all sorts of crafts and is presently enrolled in Fryeburg Academy in Maine as a freshman. Erin instilled in everyone a respect for animals, especially all her cats and, lately, chickens and ducks that produce Eggland’s best. Erin had the greenest of thumbs.

“You never said I’m leaving

You never said goodbye.

You were gone before I knew it

And only God knows why.”

Mass was celebrated on Nov. 13 at St. Margaret in Madison. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be sent to the Connecticut Humane Society, 701 Russell Road, Newington, CT 06111; https://cthumane.org.

Last, from William Cullen Bryant:

“Yet not to thine eternal resting place

Shalt thou retire alone, nor couldst thou

Couch more magnificent. Thou shalt lie down

with patriarchs of the infant world-with kings,

Fair forms, and hoary seers of ages past,

All in one mighty sepulcher ....

All that breathe

Will share thy destiny.”

Arrangements are in care of the Guilford Funeral Home, 115 Church Street, Guilford. To share a memory or leave condolences, visit www.guilfordfuneralhome.com.