Erica Ann Thurston

Our beloved wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend, Erica Ann Thurston, passed away on November 25, 2025, leaving a shining legacy of kindheartedness, creativity, inquisitiveness, and dedication to God and family that will not be forgotten.

Erica was born on May 12, 1974, in Santa Clara, California, the second child of Ronald Burda and Jean Boberg Burda. She and her siblings, Rachel, Aaron, Nathan, and Jessica, grew up in San Jose, California. Erica loved horseback riding as a child, and participated in cross country, track and field, and diving before graduating from Gunderson High School. She then earned an associate’s degree from De Anza College and a B.S. in Psychology from Brigham Young University.

In 1996, while earning a Master of Social Work degree at San Diego State University, she met and fell in love with Patrick Thurston, and they were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on July 18, 1998. They have four incredible children: daughters Megan and Natalie, and sons Bryant and Jacob. Erica treasured her family and found joy helping her children discover and pursue their talents and interests. Through her example, she taught them to be kind, conscientious, and generous toward others.

Erica loved helping people, both through her volunteer service for the Church and various community and nonprofit organizations, and especially in her one-on-one interactions with individuals who shared their struggles with her. As a licensed clinical social worker certified in art therapy, she also worked for many years as a mental health therapist and ran a solo therapy practice, Creative Counseling Services.

Erica thrived on learning and experiencing new things. Some of her “adventures” (as she called them) included learning to quilt, and creating and selling simple quilting patterns; living with her family in the Dominican Republic for several years, where she loved the Dominican people as “her tribe;” learning to speak Spanish, French, and Portuguese; taking voice and acting lessons with her children; teaching herself to make floral arrangements and wedding cakes; and learning to play the piano and the electric guitar. She also became a skilled artist, and especially enjoyed working in oil paints, chalk pastels, and watercolors. (Her portfolio is viewable online at https://www.ericathurstonart.com.) She loved teaching others how to express themselves through art, and to see the marvelous beauty of the world in new ways.

Erica had a profound love of the gospel of Jesus Christ and found joy in sharing her faith with others at any time and in any situation. She served in many Church callings and especially loved her service as an ordinance worker in the Jordan River Temple.

Someone once described Erica as “a freight train to heaven,” and her family is eternally thankful for the opportunity we had to accompany her on her earthly journey . . . and that notwithstanding this painful separation at her passing, our journey with her will continue into the eternities because of the love and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. We love you, Erica (Mom), and cannot wait to be with you again.

Erica is survived by her husband, Patrick Thurston; her children, Megan, Natalie, Bryant, and Jacob Thurston; her parents, Ronald and Jean Burda; and her siblings, Rachel (Scott) Burda Taylor, Aaron (Marie) Burda; and Jessica Burda Flanders. She is preceded in death by her brother, Nathan Burda.

Erica’s family wishes to thank everyone who shared their friendship, support, and love with her over the years. You enriched her life, and encouraged and enabled her to share her love, happiness, and gifts with those around her.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the General Missionary Fund or the Humanitarian Aid Fund of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Friends may call on Wednesday, December 3, from 6-8 p.m. or Thursday, December 4 from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the Summerfield Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2750 W 13400 S, Riverton. The funeral service will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday at the ward building.

Viewers may also participate virtually via Zoom using the following link:

https://zoom.us/j/95098204096#success.