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Note: BIOGRAPHY: From Ann Arbor News, Feb. 7, 1995: When a team of breastcancer survivors reached the summit of a mountain in Argentina, they planted a prayer flag in honor of Ann Arborite Jill Weber, who died last month of breast cancer at age 39. On Saturday, Expedition Inspiration climbers reached the 23,000 foot peak of Aconcagua, the highest mountain in the Western Hemisphere. They carried along 170 Tibetan prayer flags bearing the names of 400 women who are either breast cancer survivors or who, like Weber, have lost their lives to the disease. Monday, afte four of 17 clibers reached the summit, the team rested and prepared to come down from the mountain. Weber, who had been diagnosed with cancer in 1992, was a nurse for 17 years at University of Michigan Hospitals and was married to Ken Weber, president of Weber's Inn. A photograph of thier sons, Billy, 10, Michael, 8, and Brian, 5, was placed in a collage and taken up the mountain. The idea for the prayer flag and collage started Jan. 4, the day before Jill Weber died. She asked her friend, Sandy Eiler, not to let one more woman die of breast cancer. DEATH: Breast cancer. From Michigan Hockey Magazine, Feb. 20, 1995: Occasionally we meet someone who makes a profound and lasting impact on our lives in a short period of time. One such person who will always be remembered by family, friends, and teammates was Jill Weber, who died of breast cancer on Jan. 6 at the age of 39. Weber played only little more than a year with the Steel Magnolias women's hocky team, but the friendly nature and smiling face of this mother of three inspired her teammates. "A lot of people felt really clsoe to her," says Magnolia Vicki Loy, who has established the Jill Weber Memorial Scholarship Fund. "She was a beginning skater and she came so far (as a player) in such a short time. Jill was a phenomenal person person. She had a wonderful personality and there was never an end to her smile. I feel fortunate to have had here as a friend and teammate." Weber's smile will forever be remembered in the form of the scholarship, Loy hopes. With the help of MAHA Girls/Women's director Karen Lundgren, Loy opened a memorial account at Great Lakes Bancorp and is planning a fundraiser to benefit the Breast Cancer Foundation at the Rucci Cup Tournament March 31 to April 4 at Mt. Clemens Ice Arena. Donations for the Jill Weber Memorial Fund can be mailed to Steel Magnolias, 4848 Joy Road, Dexter, MI 48130.
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