Erica L. Habel

Erica L. (Rehnberg) Habel, 41, of Templeton, passed away peacefully on October 17, 2024 in UMass Medical Center, Worcester after a very brief illness with family and friends by her side. 

Erica was born on January 6, 1983, in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, daughter to Kevin Rehnberg and Lynn (Jackson) Breiner. She graduated from Windsor Locks High School in 2001 and went on to study at Westfield State University, where she met the love of her life, Josh. Together, they eventually moved to Templeton, Massachusetts, where they raised their two beautiful daughters, Madeleine and Morgan. Erica and Josh were married in 2012 in a beautiful ceremony in Key West, Florida.

 Erica cherished the wonderful friendships that originated from her childhood, as well as the friendships she developed while living in Templeton. Erica had a love and passion for teaching, which she expressed in her role at the Narragansett Regional School District, where she found joy and purpose in teaching students for many years.

Above all, Erica was a devoted mother and the backbone of her family. Her greatest joy came from raising her daughters and supporting them in everything they pursued. Whether cheering courtside at a basketball game, watching softball from the sidelines, or ensuring their hair and makeup were perfect for dance recitals, Erica was always there—loving, supporting, and encouraging her girls every step of the way. She was their constant, their rock, and their biggest fan.

Erica was an avid trip planner, loved the outdoors and hiking. She loved exploring new places around the country and had aspired to see so much of the world. She was always planning her next adventure and found so much joy in exploring new places with her family. Erica had a love for cooking and gardening. She took great joy in hosting those she loved, often opening her home for get-togethers and creating a welcoming space for friends and family to gather. Erica had a love for fishing and a recently discovered interest in golf. Her kindness, radiant smile, infectious laughter, and love for life will forever be remembered and cherished by all who knew her.

Erica leaves behind her loving husband Joshua and her precious daughters Madeleine and Morgan Habel of Templeton; her father Kevin Rehnberg of Key West, FL, and her mother Lynn (Jackson) Breiner and her husband Walter of Georgia; her beloved two brothers, Kyle Rehnberg of Windsor Locks, CT, and David Hollick and his wife Jenn of Windsor, CT; nieces and nephews, Raven, Brooke, Landon, Sadie, Harper and Sawyer, and many cousins.

Calling Hours will be held Thursday, October 24, 2024, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the Boucher Funeral Home, Inc., 110 Nichols Street, Gardner, MA. Funeral Services will follow at 5:00 p.m. in the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested those wishing to make a difference, as Erica did regularly in her life, to give blood to a local blood drive. Your contribution will be a fitting tribute to Erica's spirit of giving.