June 30 1932 May 3 2020
Obituary Eileen Therese Erbach Eileen Therese Erbach (nee Finn) passed away quietly on May 3, 2020, just shy of her eighty-eighth birthday, surrounded by her family who loved her dearly. Eileen led a long life, pursuing passions that included writing, painting, music, doting on her grandchildren, and washing each and every wall in the house according a meticulous weekly schedule. The daughter of Chicago detective John Finn and his hard-working wife Lillian, Eileen grew up in Depression-era Chicago, the youngest of six children. She learned the value of a dollar the hard way, and never turned down a good bargain during her later years; indeed, the dollar store was her Emerald City. In high school, she set her sights on a dashing young man with a perfect nose. His name was Arthur Erbach, and they would spend the next 63 years together loving each other. She began studying nursing in college but left when Art got drafted into the Army, and they married in 1953. Their first son Paul was born in 1954, and brothers Chris and Mike followed in 1956 and 1958. The boys, who behaved about as well as meerkats, made their Chicago apartment feel too crowded, so Eileen and Art decided to move to the suburbs in 1960. They built their own house in Des Plaines, IL, a little north of O’Hare airport just as noisy jumbo jets became a trendy way to travel. Since the house was boisterous already, the arrival of a girl named Mary in 1962 seemed natural. Margaret was added to the family in 1965, adding one final mark to the rugrat tally. Eileen’s family lived across the street from St. Stephen’s Church, which became a focus of her life. She loved to attend early morning mass and joined the Altar Rosary Society, eventually becoming president. Along with her husband, they taught CCD classes in the evenings in their home, counseling high school teenagers from the parish. Her kids, thought to be in bed, often gathered at the top of the stairs to listen in on their parents’ conversations with these cool teenagers. Eileen’s big heart and sense of community led her to politics in the late ‘60s when she joined the League of Women Voters, the Maine Township Democratic Women’s Club and volunteered for the Des Plaines U.S. Bicentennial Commission. She worked on campaigns for George McGovern, Abner Mikva, Adlai Stevenson, and many others. Her actions spoke volumes as she endeavored to change the world during those turbulent years. One of her favorite creative outlets was writing and, for several years she wrote a column in the Des Plaines Journal featuring stories about interesting personalities she met. Her stories were simple and charming, written as one neighbor would talk to another. As her kids grew up and went off to college, Eileen left the house to pursue a career. She started working at the Des Plaines Agency, an insurance office in downtown Des Plaines, but found her true calling selling collectibles at Down’s Collectors Showcase. She was able to share her appreciation for artistry with her customers, and bought many beautiful pieces for herself and her family. Eileen never stopped helping those in need. For years, she took care of her elderly neighbors, her brother-in-law, and eventually her live-in mother. It wasn’t easy, but she provided these people dignity and attention during a vulnerable time in their lives. She loved to take her grandchildren wherever she could, from the Art Institute of Chicago and Navy Pier to local parks and shopping malls. Eileen loved these children with her whole heart and would call them often to cheer them up or celebrate a birthday. In retirement, Art and Eileen enjoyed traveling, especially to see the family, hosting family gatherings, and watching an extremely loud TV together. As Art’s health failed, Eileen found herself taking care of him as she had so many others before him. More than once, when Art had fallen to the floor, Eileen enjoyed welcoming the handsome firemen to get him back on his feet. When Art finally passed, she moved in with her daughter in Florida, where she basked in the warm weather. Even in the tropical climate, she needed a sweater because her Chicago blood was always cold. After a few years, a broken hip brought her back to Chicago to live with her other daughter, and then her son. If ever there was a sweet little old Irish grandmother, it was Eileen. Kind to all, she loved to tell stories of the old days and family events; she frequently repeated her top ten, but they always changed just enough to keep them interesting. Eileen enjoyed organizing and reminiscing over old family photos as CNN blasted in the background. Near the end, she just wanted to sit outside and look at the trees through her silver dollar store sunglasses. In addition to her parents and husband, she was also preceded in death by her brothers and sisters—Margaret Weber, Olive Franklin, William Finn, John Finn, and Loretta Finn—and by her husband Arthur’s parents and siblings, Andrew and Loni Erbach, Rita and Bob Kuhnen, Robert and Dorothy Erbach, and Andrew Erbach. She leaves behind her children and their spouses, Paul Erbach and Todd Salemi, Mike and Cheryl Erbach, Chris and Margaret Erbach, Mary Zissman, and Margaret Suqi; nine grandchildren, Michelle (David) Baum, John (Tiffany) Erbach, Alan (Kayla) Erbach, Dane (Emily) Erbach, Holly Zissman, Austen Suqi, Cara Zissman, Hanna (TJ) Taylor, and Daniel Zissman; ten great grandchildren; nineteen nieces and nephews. Due to current social conditions, no service will be held at this time. A celebration of her life will be announced in the future when conditions allow. In the spirit of her lifelong concern for others and given the current need, in lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Greater Chicago Food Depository or your local food pantry. Eileen enjoyed a wee nip every so often, as it was good for you, she said. So next time you are enjoying your favorite beverage, raise one to Eileen Erbach because she loved all of you. Slàinte! Events There are no events scheduled.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Eileen Therese Erbach June 30 1932 May 3 2020.
Death notice for the town of: Arlington Heights, state: Illinois