Jill Elizabeth Weber

MARBLEHEAD - Jill (May) Weber, 66, passed away peacefully at home in Marblehead surrounded by her family on July 8, 2024, after a seven-year battle with Metastatic Breast Cancer. She is survived by her husband of 44 years, David Weber, daughter Erin McCarthy, son-in-law James McCarthy, and grandson Everett McCarthy, all of Marblehead. In addition, she leaves behind her sisters-in-law and brother-in-law, Janice Weber and husband Ted Andersen, Barbara Hull and husband Dan, Wendy Beck and husband Rick, and Tom Pirwitz, plus nieces, nephews and cousins.

Jill was born on October 25,1957 in Madison, Wisconsin to Paul and Frances (Holte) May, who preceded her in death. Jill graduated LaFollette High School in 1975 and went on to study Education at the University of Wisconsin where she met her husband, Dave. They both graduated in December, 1979 and were married on January 5, 1980, taking much pride in being the first married couple in the history of the UW Marching Band.

After short stints in Virginia, Massachusetts and Ohio, Jill and Dave returned to MA for good in 1986, where they welcomed daughter, Erin, to their Cambridge home. Along the way, Jill earned her MBA at the University of Dayton and her Master’s in Education at Harvard University. She taught in public schools and worked with Lexis-Nexis early in her career, followed by leadership roles as technology director in Cambridge and Salem schools. Eventually she moved into educational development and research, retiring as Vice President of the Education Development Center (EDC) in Newton.

After having spent a decade sailing out of Newport, RI, they were excited to move from Cambridge to Marblehead in 1996, where they continued to sail in waters north of Boston and “downeast” to Maine. Jill loved Marblehead history, especially living in General John Glover’s home for a number of years and was quick to share that love with friends and complete strangers she encountered around town.

When a “mid-life crisis” hit Jill, her love of all things equestrian came back into her life. They moved to West Newbury to enjoy riding and caring for three Friesian horses at Hunters Haven Farm where Jill loved spending time, even after her diagnosis made riding impossible. Jill’s mom (Nana) eventually moved from WI to MA in 2013, where she enjoyed being closer to her loving family for the last years of her life.

Jill was blessed to be a part of James and Erin’s wedding in 2018, as well as the birth of her only grandchild, Everett, in 2021, who lovingly called her “Gaga”. She was also proud to watch Erin run the Boston Marathon as part of the Dana Farber team to fundraise for cancer research.

After retirement, she and Dave returned to Marblehead in 2021, where they reconnected with their love of the ocean and Jill was able to realize another bucket list goal—a blue sailboat! While declining health made longer sailing cruises impossible, she enjoyed introducing Everett to sailing aboard PERSEVERANCE, aptly named for Jill’s passionate love of life and strong will. Although it didn’t quite beat daughter Erin’s first sail at six days old, she was always proud that Everett, at two months old, was part of the delivery crew to bring PERSEVERANCE from Maine to her new home in Marblehead Harbor.

In addition to sailing, horses, Norwegian heritage and being an avid fan of Wisconsin sports, Jill had many other joys in life: raising dogs, playing and watching golf, skiing, reading, and hosting parties. Interior decorating was a well-developed passion, especially given the 14 homes she and Dave shared over their 44 years together, including two short stints living aboard their boat in Boston Harbor. But nothing made Jill happier than being with her family, especially around the holidays. She was the most extravagant holiday planner, whether it was spending months putting together the perfect clue-based Easter Egg Hunts or building larger than life Advent Calendars, she truly enjoyed the gift of giving. Christmas was a favorite time for decorating both inside and outside the house, most recently creating the array of seasonal decorations for a massive driftwood piece in her front yard on Cliff St that is enjoyed by the many dog walkers, joggers and boaters who frequent the Shipyard neighborhood.

Please join us in remembering and celebrating Jill’s life at any of the following activities. Visitation will be held at Eustis & Cornell of Marblehead, 142 Elm Street, on Tuesday, July 23, from 5:00-8:00 p.m. Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 24 at Old North Church, 35 Washington St, followed by a lunch reception at the Marblehead Yacht Club, 4 Cliff St.

The family would like to share their deep appreciation for Dr. Nancy Lin and her team at Dana Farber, for their loving care over the past seven years, as well as the many colleagues at Mass General Brigham in Salem and Boston, and Care Dimensions Hospice. In lieu of flowers and gifts, the family invites donations to be made in Jill’s name to Dr. Lin’s Metastatic Breast Cancer Research Fund at Dana Farber: https://tinyurl.com/yhe33b72 Fond memories and condolences for Jill’s family may be shared at eustisandcornellfuneralhome.com.