Erika Magdalena Gallagher (Zwickl) 84, of Manahawkin, passed away peacefully on October 17, 2025. Born on February 11, 1941 in Sankt Johann, Hungry to the late Franz and Theresia Zwickl. During WWII her father relocated their family to Stuttgart, Germany where Erika would spend her early years, working for various companies including Kodak. Germany is where she met and married her husband Sgt. 1st Class Howard C. Gallagher.

Erika was a master seamstress freelancing at local bridal shops. She was extremely creative and could construct just about anything out of fabric, thread or yarn. She loved to knit and crochet. In her later years, you could find her watching sewing on YouTube.

Mom had an accent. Her pronounciations were often hysterical. The unwilling participant in our entertainment growing up. Mom couldn’t say “ship”, making the weekly trips to Beach Haven interesting. We looked forward to asking “where are we” knowing we were passing through Ship Bottom. Her use of the letters W and V were also interchangeable.

Erika had an affinity for shoes and handbags. Over the years she curated an impressive collection, meticulously organized in such a manor that would make any professional proud.

Mom loved music. A visit to her house wasn’t complete without the stylings of Heino, Freddy Quinn, Bobby Vinton and Engelbert Humperdinck.

Erika is survived by her brother Stefan (Karin) Zwickl of Stuttgart, Germany. Her daughters Barbara Hinchman (Clayton) of Tuckerton NJ and Carol Gowin (Scott) of Manahawkin, NJ; five grandchildren, Jennifer Groff (Doug), Keith Hinchman (Olga), Rachel Coumes (Mark), Cassandra Gowin, and Natalie Gowin. Erika had five great grandchildren, April, Scarlet, Magdalena, Sebastian, and Penelope (who, to the amusement of all of us, Erika referred to as Penna-lopé). Many nieces and nephews, cousins, and extended friends and family whom she adored.

Erika is predeceased by her husband Howard Gallagher, parents Franz and Theresia Zwickl, her brother Franz Zwickl, and her sister Margret and Thomas Schaffer.

Erika was very family oriented...she was warm, talented, generous, loving, and yes, sometimes a little petty. And that is how we will remember her, a sassy little German woman who left an extraordinary impression on everyone she met. Auf Wiedersehen Mom, we love you.

A celebration of Erika’s life will be held at a later date.