Deptford woman recalled as loving mom,'brilliant firecracker'

DEPTFORD – Erin Gatier was a loving mother, a caring friend and a powerful force in the lives of many, say those who knew her.

But, they say, none of that was reflected in the way Gatier died — shot by a former boyfriend who forced his way into her Deptford home.

“She was a victim in this horrific act of violence, but she was never a victim in life,” said one friend, Joanna Biehl of Conshohocken.

“I am completely devastated that I lost my best friend to such a cowardly act,” added Sasha Herrmann, a Deptford man who helped launch a GoFundMe campaign to benefit Gatier’s family.

The campaign had raised almost $30,000 by Thursday afternoon. Funds will cover funeral costs and education expenses for Gatier’s adolescent son and daughter.

“Erin was such a bright soul,” one of the 350-plus donors, Lori Caffrey, posted with her offering.

“Erin made a great impact on the world,” added another contributor, Stephanie Palmer.

“The outpouring of support from everyone who knew her and her colleagues in the healthcare industry is just a small sample of the impact she had on the world,” said Biehl.

Gatier's Facebook page identifies her as a market executive for Compassus, a provider of hospice and home healthcare.

“Erin cared about the patients and families she served. She cared about the delivery of competent and compassionate care,” said another friend, Tara Lee of Williamstown, who also described Gatier as "captivating and charming."

"Erin Gatier was a boss. She was a friend. She was open and honest," Matt Greenberg of Philadelphia said in a Facebook post. "She could talk about anything. She was great at her job. This is how I knew her. Like everyone else I’m devastated."

Biehl described Gatier as “a brilliant firecracker, a fashionista” and “a phenomenal cook (who) also could make a mean charcuterie spread.”

“She showed her love through her food and we were all grateful (and chubbier) for it!” Biehl said in an email. “She loved hosting and was actually helping my mom with food for my upcoming baby shower.”

“She was extremely dedicated to her children, her family and friends and her career,” added Biehl. “There was not a more caring and giving heart than Erin.”

“Erin was a shining star and this world is forever a little dimmer without her here,” said Lee.

Police found the bodies of Gatier and William W. Beattie, both 47, during a well-being check at the woman’s home on Monday evening, according to the Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office.

An investigation determined Beattie, a Landisville resident, forced his way into Gatier's Ogden Road home. He fatally shot Gatier before killing himself, the prosecutor's office said.

Beattie worked as a police officer in Buena, Egg Harbor City and Atlantic City before retiring in 2009, according to his obituary.

Both Gatier and Beattie were graduates of Buena Regional High School.

Jim Walsh is a senior reporter with the Courier-Post, Burlington County Times and The Daily Journal.

This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: GoFundMe for family of Erin Gatier raises over $28k in donations