Erika Bartolomeo Rulapaugh - Obituary

rika Susan Bartolomeo-Rulapaugh, 49, of Huntingtown, Maryland, passed away peacefully on November 16, 2025, surrounded by her family and friends. She was born in Washington D.C. on June 14, 1976, to Stephen and Evelyn Bartolomeo. Erika spent most of her childhood living in White Plains, Maryland, before moving to other parts of Maryland, Virginia, and finally Huntingtown, Maryland. Erika graduated from La Plata High School where she was an accomplished trumpet player. She went on to earn a B.S. in Business Administration from Salisbury University. After which, she worked in the mortgage banking industry until she had her children when she lovingly paused her career to become a stay-at-home mother. As her children got older, she returned to her career. Erika was happiest spending time with her family and friends. She was a fiercely loving, loyal, and supportive daughter, sister, wife, mother, friend, and dog mom. She would light-up a room with her beautiful and infectious smile, her sense of humor, and her spontaneous wit. For birthdays, holidays and special occasions Erika loved baking cakes and creating personalized artistic gifts. Erika loved and took great care of her puppies Isabelle, JT, and Nessa. Erika is survived by her parents, Steve and Evelyn Bartolomeo; her husband, Tony Rulapaugh; her children, Ella and Owen Rulapaugh; her brother, Anthony Bartolomeo and his fiancée, Tammy; her sister, Kelly Collins and her husband, Jamey; her mother-in-law, Kristy Sheriff and her husband, Steve; her sister-in-law, Amanda Watson and her husband, Spencer; her uncle, Rob Redden and his wife, Lisa; her aunt, Cindy Clemons; her many Bartolomeo aunts and uncles; her nieces and nephews, Anthony Bartolomeo Jr., Carleigh Bartolomeo, William Collins, Lily Collins, Kayla Hirtle, and Madison Watson; her dear friends, Shannon and Rob Gottschall and their children, Corbin and Colton; her dear friends, Tisa and Rick Elliott and their children, MacKenzie and Kayton and her dear friends, Jenn and Ben Griggs and their daughter, Nova. Erika will be remembered fondly by a host of loving cousins, friends, neighbors, and coworkers. Erika considered all whom she loved, family. Family and friends are invited to celebrate Erika’s life on Saturday, December 6 from 12 to 2 pm at the Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory, 2973 Solomons Island Rd, Edgewater, MD. A reception will follow. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks for donations to be made in Erika’s memory to No Kid Hungry (nokidhungry.org) and/or the Humane Society of Calvert County (humanesocietyofcalvertcounty.org). Condolences may be made by using the Memories link on this page.