The Society of Gynecologic Oncology announced with sadness the death of Wendy Noelle Ericsson, an advocate and champion of the Foundation for Women’s Cancer, an advocacy group supporting research, education, and public awareness of gynecologic cancers. Ms. Ericsson’s death was due to complications from recurrent uterine cancer. She was 60 years old.
Wendy Noelle Ericsson
Ms. Ericsson was born on December 25, 1959, in Massapequa, New York. She was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Lansdale, Pennsylvania, where she served on a number of committees and sang in the contemporary ensemble. She loved music, a good book, traveling, and her family and friends. She was the beloved wife of George Ericsson, her husband of 35 years.
After being diagnosed with cancer, Ms. Ericsson focused much of her efforts on fundraising for the Foundation for Women’s Cancer. As a top fundraiser, and due to her commitment to finding a cure for gynecologic cancer, she was asked to chair the National Race to End Women’s Cancer in Washington, DC, from 2017 to 2020. All told, her team, Wendy’s Warriors, raised more than $125,000 for the Foundation. As a patient advocate for the uterine cancer group within the NRG Oncology organization, she participated in reviews of clinical research protocols.
In 2020, Ms. Ericsson was the recipient of the Foundation for Women’s Cancers Karen J. Carlson Public Service Award as a way to recognize her contributions and selfless service on behalf of the Foundation.
“Our Warrior was a force for good in her challenge to [Foundation for Women’s Healthcare and the Society of Gynecologic Oncology] health-care professionals, supporting sponsor companies and her local supporters to all be, in her words, HOPEMAKERS (her signature term),” said George Ericsson. “She backed up that challenge with a tremendous amount of passion and effort. She supported the [groups] until the very end.”
In addition to her husband, Ms. Ericsson is survived by her sons, Daniel G. Ericsson (Alysia), of Cambridge, Massachusetts, and Kyle J. Ericsson, of Lansdale; 3 sisters, Linda Sweet (William), of Fairfax, Virginia, Susan Garrett, of Pedricktown, New Jersey, Leslie Ritchie (William), of Pedricktown, New Jersey; and 11 nieces and nephews.
