Renee Barbara Weber

Though some may equivocate “mensch” only with men, the word translates to mean an “admirable, or kind human being.” Renee was infinitely charitable, kind, and selfless. There was no human or animal whom she deemed unworthy of love.

Born September 24, 1945 in Louisville, KY, Renee was the first born to Dr. Melvin (DDS) and Roslyn Hertzberg. After WWII, the family returned to their roots on Chicago’s north side and grew with the addition of Sandra Freund (nee Hertzberg), Renee’s younger sister and lifelong best friend.

In the early part of adulthood, Renee invested herself in raising her four children, Scott, Marissa, Daniel, and Elizabeth. From driving countless carpools, to cheering on kids at swim meets, to helping with hundreds of pages of homework, there was nothing Renee wouldn’t do for her kids.

Once her kids were grown, Renee committed herself to the growth of children with learning differences by volunteering in the Highland Park school system. Few moments gave her more joy than watching one of her students achieve something that was once characterized “impossible.” She’d often talk about these kids with the same pride she used to describe her own children.

Renee was the grandmother one hopes for. She was always excited to see her grand kids and would stop anyone (strangers included) to talk about them. There wasn’t a game, a play, a performance that Renee would risk missing, regardless of what else was happening in her life.

Renee’s story would be incomplete without mentioning the many animals that touched her life (or vice versa). Candy, Heidi, Bernice, Sadie, Minerva. Velvet, Ben, Hazel, Annie, Ivan, Millicent, Sinclair, Rudy, Lily, Victor, Nate, and Gene The Iguana. And of course, her beloved French Bulldog, Zeke.

Renee is survived by her husband Dr. Barry Weber, MD, her sister Sandra Freund of Skokie, and her children Scott (Anne) of Minneapolis, Marissa Haas of Highland Park, Daniel (Robin) of San Diego, and Elizabeth Boehnke (Wade). Renee will be dearly missed by her grand kids Isabelle, Audrey, Madeline, Wilson, Charlie, Henry, Jack, Harper, and Carter.

Funeral service will be held Thursday, September 25 at 10:00 AM at Weinstein & Piser Funeral Home, 111 Skokie Blvd, Wilmette, IL 60091. Interment Shalom Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The Northbrook Public Library in honor of Renee Weber. The Northbrook Library in particular was a favorite reading location with her second sister and dear friend, Linda Wine.