Gettysburg woman put others before herself, friends say

Erin Britt Morrow lived her life and expressed herself through creative forms. Music, painting, drawing and writing poems. 

She also owned a number of typewriters. One that still has a sheet of paper inside with her thoughts stamped on the page is now displayed in the dining area of The Parrot in Gettysburg, where Morrow worked.

"There is a lot (of) things that I have learned in my lifetime, where to begin." — Morrow

Morrow, 46, was found dead on her porch on Jan. 8 in freezing conditions at her Gettysburg home in the first block of Carlisle Street.

The Adams County Coroner pronounced Morrow dead at the scene, according to Gettysburg Borough Police Chief Joseph Dougherty.

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The case is still open, but police are waiting for the results of the autopsy and toxicology report to determine how she died, Dougherty said Friday.

An autopsy was conducted on Jan. 9, but the results are pending. Adams County Coroner Pat Felix is waiting on toxicology reports to determine cause and manner of death, Felix said. Those reports can take eight to 10 weeks.

During the autopsy, Morrow showed signs of hypothermia, Felix said.

Morrow's employers at The Parrot, Gus Zucco and Hillary Styer, said the last time they saw her was at their work Christmas party the night before.

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She left the party at about 6 p.m., and no one saw her after that.

They had karaoke at the party, which Morrow would always take part in, Zucco said.

"I remember thinking, 'Where is Erin?' because she loved karaoke," he said.

Morrow was often seen at The Parrot's karaoke nights singing China Girl by David Bowie.

"She always sang it, and she loved David Bowie," said Dawn Henderson, Morrow's co-worker and friend.

She didn't have a lot of family in the area, but her co-workers and friends became her family.

"I keep expecting her to pop in the door," Zucco said. 

"Everyday in life is a challenge to be the best in every way. There is work always to be done." — Morrow

Morrow was a hard worker, Zucco said, one who would put in extra hours and take on any task. She lived within walking distance to The Parrot. 

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"She was one of the only people I know who could bar tend, wait, prep, do dishes and paint," Styer said.

Even when Morrow wasn't scheduled to work, her co-worker, Kisha Hill, said she would always be clearing glasses or going to get her ice whenever she was in.

Many of Morrow's co-workers and friends all had the same sentiments about Morrow: That she had a beautiful soul and always put others before herself. That she was everyone's cheerleader and truly cared about people.

Chelsey Webber, Morrow's girlfriend, met Morrow in Los Angeles, and they both moved to Gettysburg where they made a home together.

They met so many people who were accepting of them and they became family. Webber said she is thankful to have those people in her life in this difficult time.

"I don't know how to encapsulate her life into words," Webber said. "Erin was and will always be the love of my life." 

One of Morrow's best friends, Noah Rubira, said he can't sum up all she was in one sentence.

"She is the most magical person I ever met," he said.

 Co-workers Taylor Holden, a nursing student, and Carlie Singer, who was a psychology student, said Morrow told them how wonderful they would be at their future careers.

"She always had positive things to say about my dreams and aspirations," Singer said.

The Parrot will hold a celebration of life for Morrow and has started a GoFundMe to help with final expenses.

The celebration will be held 5 p.m. on Jan. 15 at The Parrot. Some of her paintings will also be on display. It will be a time for friends and those who knew Morrow to share stories and memories.

Morrow's Parrot family also has a remembrance wall next to the bar to commemorate her, along with her signature hat she always wore and a drink, The Erin Kennedy, named after her.