Obituary: Erica Jean (Carbonneau) Hurd, 55

April 18, 1968 – March 6, 2024

It is with great sadness we share the passing of Erica Hurd at home with family at her side. Erica bravely fought the most aggressive type of breast cancer for three years. Her participation in research studies brings hope for a better future.

Erica was born in Nashua, New Hampshire, where she attended school. She graduated and played softball at Nashua High School. Erica earned a Cosmetology License. This began more than 30 years as a hair stylist. She worked at several salons in Nashua. Through her love of skiing, a mutual friend introduced Erica to her husband and after a leap year marriage at Parker’s Maple Barn in New Hampshire on February 29th 1996, they moved to Pittsfield, Vermont.

Once relocated, her Vermont career had humble beginnings in small space at Mother Shapiro’s restaurant. This was used as a cigar room at night and presto change-o became “Mother Cuts” by day.  It had excellent ventilation and neither salon customers or the cigar smokers knew the other purpose. Today, you can order sushi in that same space.

Always one to exemplify efficiency and expediency, Erica lobbied the state licensing board and had a pointless “Salon Manager License” eliminated from bureaucratic requirements. Later, at The Woods her salon became “Mountain Cuts” and she teamed up with partner Stephanie Pike to relocate to the present Liquid Art building. Erica taught many stylists in New England as an educator for an international hair color brand. Eventually, the Route 4 location became the Mountain Cuts home.

Through the years, Erica enjoyed a wide range of activities. She taught skiing at Killington’s Mini Stars, was a live on-air snow, trails and weather personality on Killington TV and did curling at Rutland Rocks. Her love of softball continued after high school and she played in several women’s and coed leagues and tournaments in the Nashua area. Erica was usually at second base in the Killington softball league. Occasionally she’d turn double plays, with her husband at short stop, if he didn’t bobble the ball before tossing it over.

Erica’s community involvement and service was lifelong. She was a dynamic fundraiser for Jimmie Heuga Multiple Sclerosis, the Pittsfield recreation department and the Roger Clark Memorial Library. As library committee chair, she established policies, procedures and the hiring of a librarian for the first time. Erica was a town auditor and even helped out cutting the grass in the cemetery. She also recently saved a life: Hearing screams for help, witnesses say Erica “took off like a rocket” across Route 4 and gave chest compressions to an overdose victim until paramedics arrived.

A true Aries, Erica was feisty, persistent, caring, spiritual, loyal and loving. She loved camping, hiking and backpacking from childhood on ranging from the White and Green Mountains of New England to the famed Kalalau Trail of Kauai and many places in between. Her love of animals included the uncanny ability to calm the most nervous and even aggressive dogs. She literally touched the lives of hundreds of people through her Level 2 Reiki and as a cosmetologist, sometimes known as a “shrink with a sink.” This gathering and sharing of information and advice was a benefit to so many and to her.

Nothing compared to the love and joy Erica felt about being a mother to her daughter Amelia. Erica burst with pride watching her play softball or soccer or hearing her make music. She wanted Amelia to have a life full of friends, interests, and all the opportunities she had in her own life, and more. Erica would often say how lucky she and her husband Christopher were to have their dream come true miracle baby and growing to be such a great kid. She loved that she raised such a good human being and though heartbroken, Erica tried to prepare Amelia for a future without her. She appreciated Amelia for her own unique self, but also loved when reports from others noticed that her daughter shared many of the qualities of her mom. Erica treasured being part of Amelia’s unfolding life, and held great faith in Amelia’s future.

Erica is survived by her daughter Amelia and husband Christopher of Pittsfield. Her father Rick Carbonneau of Nashua, New Hampshire. Sister Kris Feinberg (Stu) of Ocala, Florida, her nieces and nephews Brennan and Jayden and Roger and Keely and many loving aunts, uncles, cousins and their families.

The Hurd family would like to thank so many for the kindness and help you have given Erica through her cancer fight and for the hundreds of remembrances on her Facebook page.  For several years, Erica organized the “Pittsfield Picnic,” celebrating community togetherness and spirit. In tribute, a celebration of Erica’s life will be held on the Pittsfield Green — in the picnic style — on Sunday, Aug. 11 2024.