Jennifer "Erin" Etzel

Jennifer "Erin" Etzel, born on May 16, 1977, lost her courageous battle with ovarian cancer on January 20, 2024. She leaves behind her beloved family: Fiancé, Richard Danis, parents, David and Norma Jean Etzel, sister and brother-in-law, Johanna and Richard Norris, their children, nephews Jose and Nicholas and niece Briona, her cousin/brother Brannan Bull, as well as many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Erin graduated with honors from Frostburg University with a degree in business. After college she attended a vegetarian natural food culinary school in New York City. Following her training she worked in the culinary world as a chef in various places. She spent many years in Maine and New Hampshire, which she loved.

She moved to Staunton, Virginia because she fell in love with the little town. She bought her first house, and with her entrepreneurial talents she saw the need for a coffee shop in her neighborhood. She rented an abandoned drive through bank building and transformed it into an adorable, environmentally-sustainable drive through coffee shop named "The Queen Bean.” Her coffee shop was awarded the best small business by the Chamber of Commerce in 2019.

She moved on, selling her business to pursue her true passion which was gardening. "Benevolent Gardening" was created. She moved from Staunton to Afton, Virginia to start a new life with her partner, Rick, in a beautiful spot overlooking the Blue Ridge Mountains, surrounded by nature.

Creative, dynamic, compassionate, selfless, and beautiful, she lit up a room when she entered. She never sought recognition for all the good and generous things she did. She was a fierce animal activist fostering and saving many lives. She will be painfully missed by all who knew and loved her.

A memorial service will be held from 1 to 5PM in Easton, Maryland on February 10, 2024, at Magnolia Manor, 768 Port Street. When using GPS enter the address of Evergreen Cove, 770 Port Street, Easton Maryland 21601. Turn left at the end of the road.

There will be a celebration of life held in Afton sometime in the spring, details will come later.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to: Dogs Deserve Better-Blue Ridge in Augusta County, Virginia. www.dogsdeservebetterblueridge.org