Erin Marie Gadhavi

Erin Marie Espinola Gadhavi, 53, passed away peacefully on August 25, 2025, at home, surrounded by her beloved family, after a courageous four-year battle with ALS. She faced this challenge with the same grace, determination, and unwavering optimism that defined her life. Erin will be remembered as intelligent, loving, and thoughtful—a devoted wife, mother, daughter, sister, colleague, and cherished friend to all whose lives she touched.

Born in New Bedford, Massachusetts, and raised in South Dartmouth, Erin grew up surrounded by educators who instilled in her a lifelong love of learning. From an early age, she was the heart of an ever-expanding circle of friends, drawn to her infectious kindness and genuine interest in others. Her competitive spirit shone through her athletic pursuits, and her love of pop music became the soundtrack to countless memories with family and friends.

At Boston College, she graduated with honors and met her future husband, Mehul, during their freshman year at age 17. After graduation in 1993, Erin launched her career at AT&T in Basking Ridge, New Jersey. Her drive to excel led her to earn an MBA in Finance from Seton Hall University and graduate from the ABA Stonier Graduate School at the University of Pennsylvania with the Wharton Leadership Certificate.

In 1996, Erin and Mehul celebrated their union in two ceremonies honoring both his Indian and her Catholic traditions. They built their dream home in Kinnelon, New Jersey, where they lived for 16 years and started raising their three children. Erin founded Padanaram Group, a management IT consulting firm named after the village where she spent her childhood. After 15 successful years as a consultant, she returned to corporate life in 2013 with Synchrony's Consumer Bank. In 2017, the family moved to sunny Laguna Niguel, California.

Erin was a bright and positive light who mentored colleagues across the country, and continuously made long-lasting friendships with countless people who felt so fortunate to know her. Even as ALS challenged her body, Erin's spirit remained unbroken. She continued to anchor her family, colleagues, and friends, offering wisdom, encouragement, and unconditional love. Her greatest happiness came from family time and vacations to Disney World, Turks & Caicos, and Hawaii.

Erin is survived by her devoted husband of 29 years, Mehul; her three beloved children, Jalen, Alaina, and Tej; her parents, Paul and Elaine Espinola; her sister and brother-in-law, Kerry Espinola and Neal Sugg; her mother- and father-in-law, Bhanu and Ram; her sister- and brother-in-law, Ila and Greg Rosengarten; and many cousins, nieces, nephews, aunts, and uncles.

Given that much about ALS remains unknown, Erin requested that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to ALS United Orange County. This organization provided tremendous help to her family and continues supporting others fighting the disease. Here is a link to Erin's tribute page: https://tinyurl.com/egadhavi

"A life well lived is a precious gift, of hope and strength and grace, from someone who has made our world a brighter, better place." Erin's legacy lives on in every life she touched, every laugh she shared, and every moment of love she gave so freely.