Erin Leigh Jones

Born February 23, 1972 in Overland Park Kansas.

Even though she was stubborn and fierce and the one most deserving of beating odds, Erin succumbed to her battle with cancer on July 26, 2026. Erin began her rise to royalty with an award-winning elementary school performance as Princess Long Division and culminated as High Priestess of Caramel in her family’s sauce company. Erin was a 1993 graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (Go Big Red!) and was a successful executive for several companies, including her most recent position as Senior Project Manager for Vertafore.

Erin was a collector of quirky people, old dogs and beautiful cookbooks. She was always the first to come to those in need. She was also the first to suggest shenanigans. While everyone believed themselves to be Erin’s best friend – she had a knack for making us all feel that way -- the real winner of this honor was Wes Colgan whom she married on November 29, 2014. She loved red wine, 3-hour dinners, goofy looking chickens, Spring baseball, and 1980s indie pop. Erin was active in community service, politics and populism for the underprivileged, unrepresented and underserved; she had an optimism and determination for better tomorrows for all people. Erin also was a crusader against the misuse and abuse of the apostrophe.

Erin is survived by her husband, Wes Colgan of Glorieta, New Mexico; her parents, Robert and Jane of Rio Rancho, New Mexico; and brother Brent Jones of Rio Rancho, New Mexico; her beloved dogs Allie and Abby, and a score of friends who, although broken hearted by the loss, feel very lucky to have known her.

In lieu of flowers and cards please consider a donation in her name to your local animal rescue, Planned Parenthood, or World Central Kitchen.

F*ck cancer.