Grieving colleagues laud Daunic — wife of longtime Nashville radio sportscaster Willy Daunic — saying she ‘made everyone feel better about themselves’
Erin Clinton Walsh Daunic, who served Nashville’s youth with passion and a warm, infectious laugh for more than 20 years, died July 22, after living with cancer for nearly a year. She was 54.
“Her love for people was one of a kind — big, warm and FIERCE,” her husband, longtime Nashville radio sportscaster Willy Daunic, said in an email to The Tennessean.
Erin Daunic raised money and put on events for STARS Nashville, which, through programs in schools, serves children and teens dealing with trauma, violence, substance abuse, bullying, depression, and other challenges.
“Her compassion for the people in need in our community was an example to all of us,” said Rodger Dinwiddie, CEO of youth-serving nonprofit STARS Nashville, where Daunic served as development director from 2008 until her death.
“Erin was a friend to everyone,” Dinwiddie said. “Erin made everyone she came in contact with feel better about themselves, as she shared her love for those she worked with.”
Before working at STARS, she served youth through the Boys & Girls Club and a Nashville high school whose students had substance use disorder.
Erin and Willy Daunic met on a blind date in summer 1996 — neither of them thought it would work out — and the two got married one year later, Willy Daunic said. The couple had two children, both now in college.
“She was a gatherer and connector of people,” said Willy Daunic, afternoon show co-host at 102.5 The Game and play-by-play announcer for Nashville Predators TV games. “There was nobody like her. People say that, but in her case, it’s really true. She’s one of one.”
He detailed her giving spirit and community impact.
“She spent virtually her entire professional career helping others in the nonprofit sector of Nashville. The Boys & Girls Club, Community High School and STARS,” he said.
“Erin had a positive energy force that impacted layers and layers of people of all ages and backgrounds. Made a lasting impression on not only close friends and loved ones, but often on people that only met her a few times. Could make any person or group of people feel comfortable in any setting.”
People inside and outside her work place counted on Erin Daunic, he continued.
“Many turned to her during their darkest, toughest struggles for support and guidance. A true gift. We all felt truly lucky to know her. Her light on all of us will never go out.”
Erin Daunic, like her husband, had some interest in sports. Her father proudly noted that Erin Daunic learned to keep a baseball box score at age 4 and that her most valued box score was Game 1 of the 2004 World Series between the Red Sox and the Cardinals.
Erin Daunic is survived by her husband; their children, Evans (Evy) Daunic and M. Mahoney Daunic; her parents, Jean Mullens Walsh and Michael F. Walsh, of Narragansett, Rhode Island; a sister, Anne S Walsh (Chris Prindle), of Poughkeepsie, New York; two brothers, Ryan M. Walsh (Erica) and Colin M. Walsh, both of Nashville; a niece, four uncles and two aunts.
A memorial service will be held Aug. 23 at OZ Arts Nashville, with a time to be determined later. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Daunic’s name to STARS Nashville at STARSNashville.org.
Reach Brad Schmitt at brad@tennessean.com.