Erica Palte

Erica was born in Bulawayo, Rhodesia (Zimbabwe), and loved growing up with access to hundreds of thousands of acres of her family-owned ranch and farms. She was surrounded by savanna and bush and was awestruck by the presence of prides of lions, giant elephants, water buffalo, and hundreds of species of colorful birds.

Erica had a love of animals throughout her life. She spent her time rescuing them, once even taking over a bankrupt animal shelter to restore its financial solvency thereby ensuring its residents would be safe and content. She trained and raced beautiful horses for many decades and especially enjoyed the company and shenanigans of Papillon dogs, including her most recent canine companion, Eva. She has left a lasting legacy by donating her estate to the World Wildlife Fund to help protect her beloved African creatures.

Few can comprehend the breadth and diversity of her life experiences. Erica was extremely intelligent and had an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. She was happy to learn about everyone and anything and everything. Her interests led her to live in Israel for 18 months, first on a kibbutz for Ulpan and then as a volunteer at Hadassah Hospital. She also lived in Denmark where she obtained a degree in Physical Education, and in Johannesburg, South Africa where she ran the Animal Anti-Cruelty League and was one of only a few white women allowed in Soweto.

When she came to the United States, she worked at Sacred Heart Convent in New York City, later attending Columbia University in New York City on a scholarship and graduating with a Masters Degree in Journalism. She resided in Seattle, Texas, Utah and Florida, all the while drinking in new cultures and surroundings and finding ways to give back to the community.

She was stately, cosmopolitan, witty, well-rounded and a mentor to many. She was a champion for justice and for the underdog. Erica was a force to be reckoned with in every good way. Her childlike joy in experiencing beauty and new things was exhilarating to watch. Lest you think she was perfect, she would be the first to tell you she was a terrible cook. And she was right.

Erica loved to go "bundu-bashing," which means to force yourself through the wild, not always knowing where you are going or having a particular destination in mind, but having an adventure and discovering untold experiences along the way. We have no doubt she is finding joy in bundu-bashing wherever she is now.

Erica was a remarkable woman. Her indomitable spirit will live on through her friends.

Until we meet again, Luvy.