Glen Ellyn woman worked with at-risk students

Ellen Weissbrodt had an uncanny knack for discerning the needs of children and a steely determination for seeing those needs were met.

Her job required her to work with students at risk of having problems in school upon starting kindergarten in Glen Ellyn Elementary District 41.

But when she wasn't working, her passion for children carried her beyond the requirements of her job, prompting her to form new organizations to assist both youngsters and their families.

Weissbrodt, 57, a longtime Glen Ellyn resident, died Thursday after a yearlong battle with cancer.

One of the groups she helped create was the Glen Ellyn Community Resource Center, an after-school program at Lincoln Elementary School that provides free after-school tutoring and activities for immigrant, refugee and at-risk students. After seeing the large influx of refugees to the area, she also helped start the Refugee and Immigrant Community Network of DuPage.

Building on that, she also was helping to create a Welcoming Center for refugees at the College of DuPage.

John Mulherin worked with Weissbrodt for years on the board of the resource center and saw firsthand the passion she brought to her work.

"She was extremely aware of the unique needs of these children and persistent in attempting to meet these needs," he said. "She was dedicated to improving the lives of children."

He said Weissbrodt showed strength in undergoing treatment for her cancer this past year and went into hospice earlier in the week after returning from a trip to the Outer Banks of North Carolina. She was determined to make the trip to attend the wedding of her oldest son on the beach.

A visitation with the family is planned for 1 p.m. Sept. 20 at Faith Lutheran Church, 41 N. Park Blvd., Glen Ellyn. A 2 p.m. memorial service will follow at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Glen Ellyn Community Resource Center, P.O. Box 354, Glen Ellyn, IL 60138.