Erica Francesca Sevcik

Erica Francesca Sevcik passed away peacefully on September 22, 2025, in Fresno, California, at the age of 63, following her journey with early-onset dementia. She was surrounded by her family and pastor at the time of her passing.

Erica was born on December 19, 1961, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, to Dr. Frantisek (Frank) Sevcik and La Forrest (Ann) Holladay. She will be remembered for her devotion to her daughter, her commitment to her family, and her positive and persevering attitude. Her life was marked by her decades-long friendships and a broad professional network within Fresno's elder care community. Erica was known for her radiant smile, compassionate heart, and remarkable intelligence.

Erica cherished her relationship with the Lord and raised her daughter in the Christian faith. She loved children and found great fulfillment volunteering in children's ministry. Erica had an extraordinary gift for making ordinary moments feel like special occasions. Her favorite pastimes included gardening, traveling, attending her nephews' sports games, mystery novels, creative writing, and classic films. Her taste in music was diverse, and she especially loved alternative rock. During the Christmas season, she enjoyed volunteering as a bell ringer for the Salvation Army alongside her best friend. She welcomed all into her home, where there was always an open door and a seat at the table. Above all, Erica believed in living with integrity and gratitude.

Raised in Reston, Virginia, Erica was a gifted swimmer and French horn player at Herndon High School. After graduating, she worked as a clinic manager and oral surgery assistant at the Georgetown University Department of Dentistry. In 1983, she relocated to Pasadena, California, to attend California State University, Los Angeles, later transferring to California State University, Fresno, where she graduated in 1994 with a B.A. in Liberal Arts. After graduation, she earned her Nursing Home Administrator license and went on to serve as a convalescent hospital administrator in Fresno, CA, before starting her family with her former husband, Dale, and welcoming their daughter, Bailey, in 1997.

From 1999 until 2020, Erica was the Social Services Director and Discharge Planner at Pacific Gardens Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, where she was deeply devoted to helping patients and families navigate challenging situations. She also proudly served on her local medical ethics committee. In August 2020, she relocated to Napa, CA, to pursue a new dream of becoming a respiratory therapist, with the goal of working with infants in the NICU. She completed her first year of training at Napa Valley College, but her studies were cut short by the onset of dementia in the spring of 2022.

In her final years, despite the challenges of her illness, Erica's days were marked by peace, joy, comfort, and her enduring sense of humor. Even as her mind and body declined, Erica's pure and loving spirit continued to shine through, leaving her family grateful for that gift of time together.

Erica is survived by her daughter, Bailey, and partner, Maxim, of Millbrae, CA; her stepdaughter, Tana, son-in-law, Branden, and their children, Jedidiah and Wilhelm, of Fresno, CA; her mother, Ann, of Brighton, MI; and her sister-in-law, Lisa, and children, Parker of Ann Arbor, MI, and Ruby of Chicago, IL. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Frantisek, Emilie, Forrest, and Bess; her father, Frank; and her brother, Matthew.

A lifelong advocate for organ donation, Erica gave the final gift of donating her brain tissue to the Mayo Clinic through Brain Support Network. This act of generosity will provide her family with a conclusive diagnosis of the dementia that claimed her life at such a young age. Both her father, Dr. Frank Sevcik, and her brother, Dr. Matthew Sevcik, passed away from early-onset frontotemporal dementia—Frank at the age of 66 and Matthew at 50. Erica's donation will not only bring clarity to her family but will also advance critical research that may one day lead to a cure for future generations.

A celebration of Erica's life will be held once the diagnostic results have been received, with details to follow in the coming months. Cremation has taken place.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Erica's memory be made to Brain Support Network, PO Box 7264, Menlo Park, CA 94026, www.brainsupportnetwork.org, or to Clear Thoughts Foundation, 3000 Village Run Road, Unit 103, #225, Wexford, PA 15090, www.clearthoughtsfoundation.org.