Elizabeth J. Crewe passed away quietly, surrounded by her family and close friends, on June 5, 2026. Surviving are her husband Mark Kluge and their three children: Nathan Crewe-Kluge of Fall River, MA; Silas Crewe-Kluge of Denver, CO.; and Elliott Crewe-Kluge of Countryside, IL.

Elizabeth was born in Chicago, IL on March 25, 1964, to Albert V. Crewe and Doreen P. Crewe. Surviving family members include her sister Jennifer Crewe, of New York, NY; her sister Sarah Crewe (Patrick Connor), of Glenview IL; and her brother David Crewe (Jennifer), of Issaquah, WA.

Elizabeth grew up in Palos Park, IL, and attended Carl Sandburg High School where she was on the swim team. She then attended Oberlin College, graduating in 1986. She worked in Human Resources for two firms. She married Mark Kluge in 1996. They moved to La Grange, IL and raised their family there.

Elizabeth was a vibrant, active member of the community. For several years she was on the planning board of the annual homeschooling conference offered by the nonsectarian umbrella organization Illinois H.O.U.S.E. (now the Illinois Homeschool Association). She also spearheaded a homeschooling cooperative based in La Grange, open to families in the Western suburbs of Chicago. The cooperative, known as Westside HOUSE Activity Group (WHAG), drew upon its diverse membership to teach a wide range of subjects to children of various ages, including biology, physics, mathematics, art history, life skills, etc. There were regular museum days and nature outings. She also served on the La Grange Public Library Board.

Elizabeth was a passionate weaver and fiber artist. She was a member of the Illinois Prairie Weavers Guild and the Handweavers Guild of America. She was also an avid knitter whose extended family enjoyed new socks every holiday season.

Following her initial diagnosis and treatment for breast cancer in 2016, Elizabeth became active in fundraising activities for Wellness House of Hinsdale, IL. In support of the annual Walk for Wellness House she offered intricate, colorful hand-woven dish towels as an incentive for donations. She met many others impacted by cancer through Wellness House programs and classes, inspiring hope through her positive outlook.

Elizabeth had an abiding interest in our natural world. She connected her group of homeschooling participants with volunteer restoration workdays in a local forest preserve. She loved kayaking, paddling around her favorite lake in Vilas County, WI with unending enthusiasm. No loon or turtle escaped her notice. She enjoyed hiking, birdwatching, knitting by the campfire, and connecting with those who held similar interests.

She will linger in our hearts.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations in her memory be made to Wellness House (https://wellnesshouse.org).

A memorial celebration is planned for a later date.