Erica Cuneo

Erica Lynn Cuneo passed away July 10, 2026, in Henry Ford Providence Novi Hospital.

The daughter of the late Paula Zaborney and John Cuneo, Erica was born January 27, 1982, at Providence Hospital, Southfield.

She is cherished by her sons Justin Shamblin and Brayden Lawson; her father, John Cuneo, and her sister, Elaine Cates (Shawn Cates). She was the dearest aunt of Jacob, Robert, and Zachary Cates. Her aunts and uncles will remember Erica always: Ann Zaborney (Mary Kline), Maryann Webber, Mark Zaborney, Charlyn Bisset, Barbara (Mike) Mitchell, Ed (Paula) Cuneo, Paul (Karen) Cuneo, and Jerry (Vicky) Matthews.

She was the granddaughter of the late Bernadine and the late Paul Zaborney and the late Joyce and the late Charlie Cuneo. She also was preceded in death by her uncle, Eric Zaborney, and aunt, Elaine Matthews.

Michael Alan Phillips became her bonus son when he and Justin were in high school together. Michael needed a place to live. Erica took him in and cared for him as one of her own, demonstrating a generosity of care known well by many.

Shy in unfamiliar surroundings, Erica could be vibrant -- even a social butterfly -- when comfortable with those around her. She loved to have fun and make others happy, and they couldn't forget her radiant smile. She might tease those she felt closest to, even as she made sure to boost them when they felt low by pointing out their strengths and dismissing their detractors.

She had a way to make people feel better about themselves, her sister said.

And so leading by positive reinforcement came naturally to Erica during her years as a manager at Subway. Her intelligence helped. She treated each worker as an individual. When she became an in-home caregiver for the elderly and people with disabilities, she enjoyed their friendship as she found fulfillment in becoming the one they could depend on.

From the moment Justin started youth football, she'd be in the stands, loud and proud through every practice and game. This football mom donned Columbia Central High School gear during Justin's time as a student-athlete there. She provided transport, her car full of players on the way to practices and games, and she bought them snacks afterward. If they came over, she made sure they joined Justin in doing their homework.

She especially enjoyed watching her boys just be kids.

She liked medical shows on television and listening to Ozzy Osbourne or Amy Lee of Evanescence or Shinedown. She held on through the twists and turns in the fiction of James Patterson and Stephen King and followed the romance novels of Nora Roberts.

Often seen with a camera in her hand, Erica had her eye on experiences in progress and groups of people more often than trees and flowers.

On her return from an errand, even on a trip to the store for milk, she'd proclaim, "The Eagle has landed."

Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m. Saturday, July 25, with a funeral service at 7 p.m., at the Neely-Turowski Funeral Home, 30200 Five Mile Rd., Livonia, Michigan 48154.

Erica found a kindred spirit in Eeyore, of Winnie-the-Pooh fame. Her family asks that guests wear Eeyore colors or anything Eeyore-themed in her honor.

Memorial contributions may be made to: Brain Injury Association of Michigan

7305 Grand River Ave. Suite 100 (attention Sharon)

Brighton, MI 48114

Thank you to the health care and caregiving professionals at Maple Manor, Novi, where Erica lived for eight years.** They were like family.