Good Night, Erlene Zierke.

Yesterday, I lost my dear friend Erlene Zierke to a tragic accident. Without going into details, she will not be im'ing or emailing me anymore. And she won't be twittering more hilarious thoughts (her last tweet reads: "cats do not like elephant hats their heads"). Like a lot of you, we've only met in real life a couple of times, but we talked often and I cherished her friendship.

I met Erlene in May 2005. She crashed our E3 BBQ with Evan. She struck me as gorgeous and smiled a lot. The first email she wrote me opened with, "yo. we met at your BBQ... though i won't hold it against you if you forgot me." I responded with, "I remember you. Pretty eyes." I meant it. Erlene had devious twinkly eyes and a personality to match.

As our relationship grew, we brainstormed and helped each other with our respective work, shared time-wasting links (read: observed internet memes together), debated which tech conferences were the best to attend, and discussed other mundane life topics. When I asked Erlene if she would take a meeting with my cousin Nellie, she happily obliged. And although she did not have a job for Nellie, she had nice, sassy things to say about her. Erlene was a two-way street.

You might have known Erlene too. She was active online, easy-going, feisty, and funny. She was a real evangelist for Turner Broadcasting. She championed Super Deluxe every chance she had. I remember her excitement in the early days of launching it. And although she recently left them to start the next chapter in her life, she seemed to love her job there.

I watched my early morning Flickr search for Erlene-related-pictures grow from three photos to a full fledged dedicated group as the day progressed. All the photos show a very happy person. And that's how I’m going to remember Erlene.

A lot of people are hurting today. I divide sadness with all who knew her in hopes that you (and I) heal faster. Good night, E.Z.

Love, Souris

Comments

[graham]

The viewing will be 5pm-8pm Thursday:
Striffler-Hamby Mortuary
4071 Macon Rd
Columbus, GA 31907

The funeral will be 11am Friday:
Parkhill Cemetary in Columbus
right next to the mortuary/chapel

Flowers can be sent to the address above.

[Mr. ? (e3 '05)]

Her passing was quite premature.

On Friday, Erlene's friends plan to celebrate her life and all the fond memories that were created while in her presence.

Robert

[christian svanes kolding]

i'm really sorry to hear this. our thoughts are with you, souris, and erlene's loved ones.

[Adam Darby]

Thank you . . . that was an awesome tribute to Erlene. I have known her since I first moved to Atlanta in 1996, and she was one of my closest friends here. We raved, clubbed, danced, hung out, and worked together - my life is much richer for her, and I'll miss her every single day.

-adam (friends with Nellie too!)

[jason carlin]

Oh, Souris, I'm so sorry! This is a very nice tribute.

[Buzz]

Someone on Flickr said it best. "Erlene, thanks for being so goddamned awesome." We'll miss her *so* much.

[molly]

I didn't know Erlene but I can tell that she was a very charismatic, beautiful young woman. I'm sorry for your loss. She is clearly missed.

[Sterling]

The amazing part is that I also crashed that BBQ with Evan (shoulda introduced myself that year), and it's that event that effectively changed my life forever.

At the time, I was a freelancer working out of Atlanta and working full time at the mall to make ends meet. I went to E3 on a wing and a prayer to find a job in the industry. I met Ryan O'Donnell and Jane Pinckard amidst the cigarettes, beer, and BBQ, and we all hit it off. I think I would've occasionally contacted them were it not for Erlene.

She and I spent our last Sunday in LA smoking cigarettes outside my cousin's apartment in Hollywood at 3am. She was the one who told me, "don't lose touch with Ryan and Jane, and don't lose touch with Evan or Chen. People like you, and they believe in you."

She knew that it meant that I'd leave Atlanta, and we'd see each other significantly less. She also knew it had to be done. Three years later, I'm pretty much in the thick of the industry, and it's because Erlene gave me the push I might not have given myself.

I wouldn't be sitting here typing this if it weren't for her, and that's what makes it hurt the most.

[adriana]

Souris, I'm very sorry to hear this. I'm sending you lots of love and big hugs. My condolences to Erlene's family and friends.

[Tessa]

Erlene's energy, humor and wit are unrivaled. I feel very special to have had the opportunity to be friends with her over the past handful of years. Saying she will be very missed is quite an understatement. She will be celebrated and remembered.

[Jane]

Sterling, I remember that well; and I remember Erlene's bright green eyes smiling; we have footage of that evening, HD footage, drinking and smoking and talking in the twilight...

[Sarah]

When my husband and I moved to Atlanta in 2004, Erlene became our first friend. She and I both worked at Turner Sports, and met when I butted in to her conversation about Katamari Damacy to explain just how freakin' awesome it was.

For the two years we lived in the ATL, Collin and I spent nearly every free weekend hanging out with her, and through her met an entire network of amazing people (including several of the above posters). She was the biggest reason we fell so deeply in love with the city, and the biggest reason we were so desperately sorry to leave.

We are expecting our first child next month, a baby girl, and it just kills me that the two of them will never meet. All we have are words and pictures now to teach our daughter about one of the most spectacular f*cking people to walk this planet.

[Mandee Duncan]

I grew up with Erlene. We went to Our Lady of Lourdes together. From the moment we met we were inseperable though high school and even after she went away to attend UGA. In all of my jr. high and high school memories Erlene is a part of and everything stated above is true of her personality. I really cannot believe what I've heard. She really is just an amazing person and I am glad to have had her in my life.

Thank you Erlene for giving me some of the best memories in my life.

smooches....Mandee

[Erin]

This was a very loving tribute. I too met Erlene on the internet...but since I had lived in Atlanta, we had many friends in common but had somehow just not crossed paths. We soon became fast friends and communicated on a daily basis. It kills me to see her name grayed out on ichat...and to not be receiving her hilarious twitters or music links anymore....She definitely made my life richer just for knowing her and I am so glad that she was a part of my life.

As cliche as it is, only the good die young. Erlene was amazing; there will never be another like her!

[audra]

Just like Mandee, I grew up with Erlene as well. The last time I saw her was in Atlanta 2 years ago for my wedding. She was one of those really great childhood friends that always entertained--especially when she was 12 and just learning to dance--definitely someone that I will miss.

luv you...audi

[Melissa]

Erlene and I were very close friends in junior high. We obsessed over things like Gone with the Wind, Wayne's World, and our favorite game in computer class, Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego. Her ability to captivate people and steal the spotlight from anyone else in the room stood out even then. My heart aches knowing that world is a much less brighter place without her.

We will miss you Ziggy...

[ratspt]

I watch Super Deluxe...I'm sorry to hear about her passing my condolenses to her Family and Friends. God Bless You.

[Ginger]

Erlene and I were close firends in highschool and we shared a million laughs...I have so many memories that i will never forget. Erlene you will be missed.

[Sean]

Goodnight Sweetheart.

[Chuck Jones]

My God... What a free-spririted, always happy person. I remember going to Jay-Z with her years ago at eleven50, and she was cracking me up the whole night. I always enjoyed her random IM's, emails, and thoughts. She'll always have a special place in my heart.

[Amy Sparks Cadenhead]

I am so late in finding out about the loss of Erlene, but she and I were friends in high school and I still have photo albums full of pictures of her...She was amazing and energetic person. Last I heard from her she wasn't going to make the reunion....I emailed her...she really was a light in the world and will be missed.