Erin Mollie Weis
God has another angel. Erin Mollie Weis, age 46, of Chicago, IL was called home on January 12, 2023, surrounded by those she loved.
Erin Weis was born March 8, 1976, in St. Paul, Minnesota to Mollie (née Landrigan) and Gordon Weis.
Erin’s early years were spent in Dunlap, IL, attending grade school and high school. She received her undergraduate degree in Education from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL, and her Master’s degree in “Reading Resources” from Concordia University.
Erin has been a teacher her whole life. She began by teaching her dolls and stuffed animals. Upon graduation from SIU, she began teaching “language arts” to middle school students in Dyersburg, TN. After 2 years, she moved to Memphis, TN and continued to teach “language arts” to middle school students until 2009. Erin then moved to Chicago and taught middle school students through “Learn Charter School” until September 2021 when she retired. Erin has continued to teach through the end. She taught each of us how to live life to the fullest and die with no regrets. She has touched and helped change so many lives. Her spirit will live on forever.
Erin was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) in April 2021 after 8 months of symptoms that numerous doctors and tests couldn’t explain. In Erin’s words – “Over the past year ALS has taken a lot from me. I can no longer work, speak, or walk. BUT there is a lot it will NEVER take from me…my fighting spirit, my hope for a cure, my love of life, my sense of humor, my smile, my happiness, the love and support of family and friends. There is so much life to live, and I’m going to enjoy every minute of it!!” And she did!
Erin met Adam Sterbis, the love of her life during the fall of 2016. They were married on January 21, 2022. Together they celebrated many years of love, fun, and wonderful adventures.
Erin is survived by her husband, Adam and their two dogs, Hank, and Baxter; her parents, Mollie and Gordon Weis of Johns Island, SC; her brother Seth, his wife JoDee, and nephews Bennett and Camden of Rye, NY; her in-laws Marie and Jack Sterbis of Berrien Springs, MI, and brother-in-law Eric, his wife Golbon, and nephew Sam of Huntington Woods, MI.
A Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until time of the Memorial Service, 2 p.m. on Saturday, January 28, 2023 at Hallowell & James Funeral Home, 1025 W. 55th St., Countryside. Interment private.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Erin’s name can be made to the “Les Turner ALS Foundation”, (https://lesturnerals.org) or to “Team Gleason”, (https://teamgleason.org). They both took wonderful care of Erin.
You will be truly missed. You were an amazing teacher to my peers & I. We all will miss you and forever keep you in our hearts.
You were a sweet sweet person your smile I will forever keep you in my heart
Absolutely heartbreaking. So full of life and so young. You are truly an inspiration and and angel to all. Rest in peace, my friend.
This is so heartbreaking! Erin was such a sweet soul!
Thank you for the contribution you have made in my daughters lives. I pray you a blessed transition.
Erin was a sweet angel that took so many under her wings and made them smile and enjoy life. She was a gift to all of us.
Thank you for your kind words and friendship. They mean so much to our family. Our Erin was a lovely soul and will be in our hearts forever. Love Mollie & Gordon
Mollie, so very sorry to hear about the passing of Erin. Heather & I both send our love to you & your family . We will always remember sweet Erin ! Love Carlene Curry & Heather Curry Klebes
Our sincere condolences to Adam and the rest of their families. Another life taken too young.
Such a beautiful soul inside and out. My sincerest condolences to Adam, her parents, and her entire family.
So sorry for your family’s loss. I remember how excited Mary Sue was to become an aunt at such a young age. Prayers for your comfort at this time and a cure soon.
My sympathies to Gordon and Mollie and the entire family. Erin’s will to live and enjoy life while fighting ALS is simply amazing.
What a special young lady. Definitely an angel we all should look up to.
Blessings, prayers and hugs to all.
I am sad and heartbroken to learn of the loss of precious Erin. My thoughts and prayers go out to Mollie, Gordon and the entire family.
My deepest condolences to Erin’s family and friends. I am the Board Chair of LEARN, the organization where Erin taught and we were extremely grateful to have such a passionate and dedicated professional serving our scholars. I had the privilege of traveling to London with Erin for a LEARN trip and came to know and cherish all the wonderful attributes I’ve seen so many write about Erin. I think it was her first overseas trip and I was happy to experience that with her.
You will truly be missed thank you for mentoring my children to be great readers and critical thinkers. Salute Queen!!!!!
An amazing women with so much to give! I remember her telling me she didn’t think I liked her and I said you know what I THOUGHT YOU DIDN’T LIKE ME! lol we both laughed about it and our relationship was solid since then. She taught me so much in such a very short time and her organization was what drew me to her. (I never got that) lol Rest well Erin. You will be missed.
We are so sorry for your loss. I have wonderful memories of Erin playing with our daughter. She was always happy and smiling.
I’ll never forget her heart and unmatched work ethic. She was a true educator and a kind soul. 🙏🙏🙏❤️
Will always be in my heart
The best teacher ever
Truly missed
Love Sherrell Hunt
Rest Well Erin! Thank you for being such a great friend to me when I needed one the most! You will be greatly missed
Thank you for all the memories that you’ve helped me create, and for the knowledge you gave my sister and I throughout middle school. You were one of the kindest people I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting, and I promise to never forget any of the things you’ve taught me. Thank you.
RIP.🙏🏾🕊️
There is a special place in heaven for Erin. An amazing person and an amazing family. Prayers to Adam, Seth and all the Weis Family!
My deepest sympathy to the family. I was fortunate to briefly be mentored by Ms. Weis. She was a great educator and such an encourager. She made you feel like you could do anything.
Erin was an extra special person. She was an extraordinary teacher with high expectations and an endless amount of patience and love for her students. We worked together for 13 years at LEARN Charter School where she taught Middle School English Language Arts and served as a Instructional Coach.
She was brilliant, pleasant and deeply missed.
Greg White
LEARN Charter School – CEO
Gordon, I am saddened to learn of your loss. May you be comforted by memories of your sweet daughter.