“She was a very family orientated person, the kids and me were her priorities in the world”

In 2024, Erin suddenly and completely without warning had a pulmonary embolism. Her husband was interstate, and her children rang him to say that while she was getting ready for work, she had collapsed. She was having trouble breathing and her children did what they could, very sadly she passed away.

Michael says the children are remarkably resilient; the two older daughters (17 & 15) are managing reasonably well in the circumstances; their 11-year-old daughter is struggling the most; and their son is nearly 7 and is a bit too young to fully understand what has happened at the moment.

Erin was 41, married to Michael for 18 years and a mother of four. She worked as a HR Manager and loved coaching netball for her local club, as Erin loved being involved in the community. Her husband is an Operation’s Manager in the construction industry which provided the family the opportunity to travel and work around Australia.

The family was told that Erin had a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) which had travelled through her system and lodged in her heart, preventing her from breathing. Erin did not have any of the normal or common risk factors which cause DVT – she hadn’t had surgery, she hadn’t been on a long flight, and she hadn’t complained of having sore legs. Her children were with her and even though they called an ambulance and did what they could, it was so sudden and unexpected.

“She had a very magnetic personality; she was outgoing and positive as a person”

The family love to travel, and experience different places together – going to caravan parks and they were able to fulfill a life-long ambition with a trip to the US last year. Any time spent together as a family were special moments.

We thank Michael for reaching out to Thrombosis Australia to share Erin's story and we will endeavor to continue our mission of educating the Australian community on the risks associated with developing blood clots. Erin’s story also sheds light on the fact that DVTs and pulmonary embolism can occur without any symptoms or warning signs.

In loving memory of Erin Phillips-Ryder (1983-2024)