MEMORIES

Memories Shared

Colin Yoder - Friendly Swim Parent (Catharine, Will) 

Erin was always encouraging and motivating our kids and many others, not only in swimming, but in a personal level. She had a way of challenging young people to improve as an athlete and challenge themselves individually. 

Erin taught my daughter Catharine how to train to be a good swimmer. Catharine ended up swimming in high school and always gave credit to Erin, Ed and all the coaches at Friendly Pool for her love and passion for swimming. 

Daniel Coughlin - Friendly Pool and Greensboro Community 

Sending so many thoughts, prayers, and strength to the absolute legend herself, Erin Harris.

As the head swim coach and manager at Friendly Park Pool, Erin is so much more than just a leader—she is a boss, a mentor, a devoted mom, a fiercely loyal friend, and a steady anchor for our entire community.

Erin has touched and shaped so many of our lives in ways words can hardly express. Her dedication, energy, and unwavering heart have inspired generations of swimmers and families.

We love you, Erin! Keeping you close in our thoughts and sending all the strength and love in the world your way. 🐸🏊‍♀️✨

I would like to share a special message in honor of Erin Leahy Harris🐸

“Ducks fly at midnight." 

If you ever worked at Friendly Park Pool, you know that code phrase meant one thing: Erin Harris was approaching. Whether she was pulling down Mimosa driveway or slipping in past the tennis courts, that phrase immediately went down the line so everyone could make sure they looked sharp. We weren’t up to anything bad, of course... but every swim crew needs an emergency code word when the boss is on the move.

It’s with a heavy heart, but a mind full of incredible memories, that I’m joining so many others in remembering Erin. To say she will be missed doesn't even scratch the surface. Over the course of my 12+ years coaching and lifeguarding at Friendly Park Pool, Erin was my very first boss, a mentor, a teacher, and a swim mom. She was, quite simply, a absolute legend.

Working at Friendly Park Pool wasn’t just a summer job; it was a masterclass in life, leadership, and work ethic. Erin taught us early on that you don't just "show up" to a job—you look for things to do. If the pool deck needed attention, you picked up a broom. You helped out in the snack bar, scrubbed the bathroom mats, tackled pump room duties with the manager on duty, and swept up excess popcorn or stuck gum from under the lounge chairs. (And let's not even discuss the mysterious things found on the bathroom walls and ceilings over the years...) She instilled a standard of excellence and accountability in all of us that I still carry into my professional career and my life as a dad today.

And then, of course, there were the meet entries.

Erin was a tactical genius when it came to mapping out swim meets. She would spend hours analyzing scenarios in her mind, figuring out exactly where each swimmer could shine and how to position our team for a win. I’ll never forget one particular evening when, after hours of painstaking strategic positioning, a computer glitch erased three entire hours of our hard work right at 11:00 PM. 🙃 In that moment—staring at a blank screen late at night—Erin showed us who she really was. She taught us to just laugh it off, dust ourselves off, and get right back to work.

That was her magic. She knew how to challenge every single swimmer, regardless of their skill or ability, to push past their limits. But she always made sure that, at the end of the day, it was rewarding and fun. Nothing in the world beat the high of winning a swim meet and having a team pizza party, followed by playing water polo during morning practice the next day.

She prepared us for everything. Who could forget the inaugural Lifeguard Day she ran? She created intense, real-life scenario drills—not to scare us, but to build our confidence so we’d be ready for any situation that could happen on the deck. She built a safe, growth-oriented space where teenagers and young adults actually learned how to lead.

Looking back, I remember getting genuinely sad every single autumn when the pool had to close for the year, and counting down the days until summer when that spark would light up in my heart all over again. Erin was the heart and soul of Friendly Park Pool. The warm, inviting culture she built cascaded through every member, guest, and staff member who walked through the gates. It was a space where I got to work alongside my two brothers and our neighbor Lila (who was basically our sister), and where so many of us made lifelong friends that we still catch up with every holiday season and summer, no matter where life has taken us.

Erin, thank you for shaping me into the person, leader, and father I am today. You challenged us to be our best so we could go out and make a real difference in the world. You gave us your time, your wisdom, and memories that time can never erase.

Rest in peace, Erin. We’ll keep watching the driveway, and we’ll keep flying at midnight. 💚🐸🏊‍♂️ Keep a lane open and the pizza ready for us.🕊️ 

Cameron Holder - Swimmer

Erin was such a special part of my childhood. She was more than just my swim coach and boss she was a constant source of kindness, love, and support. She had the most wonderful, motherly spirit and always made sure I felt welcomed, cared for, and supported. She gave me my very first job, and every summer she made sure not only that I was taken care of, but that my entire family felt supported too. Those are the kinds of things you never forget. I feel so incredibly fortunate to have had someone like Erin in my corner for so many of my formative years. It was truly an honor to know her, and I will carry her kindness with me always. Rest peacefully, Erin. ❤️ 

Jennifer Lewis - Friend (FBC preschool, GHS, soccer moms, Friendly Pool)

One of my favorite memories was very early on in our developing friendship. Natalie and Lydia were both in Pre School at First Baptist and and Erin and I connected and learned that we were neighbors. We did a little bit of carpooling and picking up the girls, (mainly Erin helping me out) and sometimes lydia would go home with them until I could get there. Erin never was one to ask for help… But it sure seemed like she was always helping others out. One day she pulled up in my driveway and I walked out to the car to get Lydia and lo and behold in the backseat was a baby. I said “Erin, oh my gosh! Did you have the baby?” And she smiled and nodded her head and said, “Yeah, everything was fine.”   Mind you this was two days after the baby was born. I said “I can’t believe you didn’t call me. I would’ve picked up Natalie today and could’ve had her for a couple of hours.” And she said “ it’s OK, I didn’t need any help. We’re good. “ She was an absolute rockstar at everything. She was always helping others, never complaining … she seemed to have more hours in her day… Or at least she could always get more done than anybody else I knew. My Takeaway that day… Was all about work ethic and responsibility. In her mind, why would she ask for help if she didn’t really need help. That day was the first of many many many times that I stood in awe at her sense of responsibility and matter of fact approach to daily life. 

Jack Garvey, Jr. - Lifeguard

Erin was a fantastic first boss when I was a teenage lifeguard at Friendly Park Pool, a lot of fun to work with, and someone whose influence stays with me every day. 

Erin's Cousin

Erin was always ready to celebrate even when she was in severe pain after countless rounds of treatments and complications. Her zest for life, positive outlook, boundless energy for service and genuine interest in others never flagged, against all odds. She was on the dance floor with joy just a few months ago with a smile as wide as the ocean, laughing even though it hurt to laugh. This world never had a more genuine nor generous soul in it. Safe home cousin! We love you forever!!

Nicole Krasowski - Coaching (Page/Grimsley & Lawndale/Friendly) 

So many memories, but some favorites were behind the scenes City Meet antics from sneaking celebratory post meet tequila shots (straight from the mini bottles) with Diane Quillen and Bruce Pittman while ducking behind my car in the gravel lot outside of GAC, to my annual pre City Meet goodie bag of pads (menstrual panty liners) because us "Older Lady Coaches" would occasionally tinkle when we got super excited and jumped up and down. 

Best memory might have been when the Page/Grimsley duel meet got canceled due to snow (a dusting), Erin and I were annoyed with the decision so went to World of Beer at 4pm on a weekday, in our Page & Grimsley coaching shirts and had a beer. Bartender actually asked if it was legal for us to drink together.  Love you SO MUCH and will miss you terribly!