December 31, 1939-December 4, 2020
Erica Pridonoff Zacarias made a peaceful transition in the early morning hours of December 4, 2020, at home surrounded by loved ones.
Born and raised in the San Gabriel Valley, CA, Erica attended San Marino High, class of 1958. She began her teaching career in East L.A., later moving to the San Fernando Valley, where she taught at Darby Ave. Elementary for the majority of her 34-year teaching career. Erica received her Master’s in Education, published an elementary school math book, and was recognized with numerous local and national teaching awards. In 1988, she carried her passion for teaching to Princeton, B.C., Canada, on a Fulbright scholarship. She strongly believed in the dignity of children and loved her students as if each were her own. She made a huge impact on many peoples’ lives – with many former students coming back years later to tell her she was the one who made a difference.
Erica loved to travel, held regular season tickets to the Mark Taper Forum and Los Angeles Philharmonic and spent many summer nights at the Hollywood Bowl. As a teenager she loved to dance, was a majorette and learned to surf in the early days of surfing in Hawaii.
After retiring from LAUSD, she moved to Walterville, Oregon, along the McKenzie River in the foothills of the Cascades. She loved her quiet Oregon life with her dog Tasha and many close friends. She spent her time in community activities such as the Garden Club, Purple Hats Society and weekly card games with her neighbors. And of course, she loved the Oregon Ducks!
She also had her share of challenges, the most significant of which was the loss of her son Michael at age 11. An eternal optimist, Erica’s positive attitude fortified her resilience and ability to bounce through life’s obstacles. Diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010, she faced her cancer with courage, acceptance, and determination to continue living a joyful life.
Erica was a powerful and dynamic woman. She touched many lives with her kindness, humor, openness to others and generosity. She was an inspiration to many and will be remembered for her indomitable spirit, compassion for children and joie de vivre. She was a great example of living life to the fullest.
Erica was preceded in death by her son Michael, brother John, parents Eric and Josephine, and is survived by her daughter Jeanne (DeOnte’ Gordon), daughter Juliet, grandson Alexander, sister Sally and brother Carl. Following cremation, Erica’s ashes will be placed at Forest Lawn Cemetery, Hollywood Hills.
