Lea Faye Schweitz

Forever the explorer, Lea Faye Schweitz, (nee Miller), 50, has left behind her battle with lung cancer in search of a new adventure. Lea passed away at home in Oak Park on September 24, 2025, surrounded by love.

For the beautiful mortals who knew her in this existence, Lea was a fierce and adoring mother to Isaac and Kalder, a connector of spirits to a wide circle of friends and loved ones, a defender of nature, a community builder, and a teacher to her core. Lea’s love of adventure came naturally. She was born in Springfield, Missouri, to Marcia (née Morton) and the late Gregory Miller, and raised in German Valley, Illinois, alongside her sister Dana Dillard—sometimes friend, sometimes nemesis, always sister. She graduated from Forreston High School and attended Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, where she spent summers driving to the Badlands to conduct research on prairie restoration and insect habitats following controlled burns. After marrying her high school sweetheart, Kurt Schweitz, her Luther path culminated in her receiving her Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Biology. Lea went on to attend the University of Chicago where she earned her Master's degree and went on to attain her PHD in divinity, philosophy, and theology. Lea’s next career adventure kept her rooted at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, where she served for a decade as a professor and director for the Zygon Center for Religion and Science, connecting religion and science and encouraging dialogues between those with seemingly disparate views and fostering communication between those working in areas of academia, faith, and science. The work there paved the way for Lea to begin crafting the next leg of her journey, which included grant writing, contract work, teaching theology to individuals who were incarcerated, and her newfound passion in helping individuals navigate end-of-life planning. Her podcast, monthly meeting, and substack "Playdates With Death" can be found here: https://playdateswithdeath.substack.com/.

Lea was an adventurer and explorer of places and ideas and strove to connect these wonders to the people she loved and in whom she saw unfettered passion and uncapped potential through, play, discovery, critical questioning, and above all, curiosity. She appreciated the random glimpses of beauty that were everywhere – from the wildflowers that would emerge in urban landscapes to the buzzing of the bees to a random rock that would then find a home in her pocket. Lea’s passion was love of others - as a mother, as an advocate, as a friend, as a community builder.

The circle of love that Lea built include her former husband's parents, Terry and Christine Schweitz and siblings Karl, Anna (Lucas), and Andrew; her nieces Emma, Rosaline, Marit, and Greta, and her nephews Brian and Jonah; her aunt Patricia Miller Heine (Roger); and her late uncle Gary (Gloria) Miller, her many cousins and extended family; and a circle of friends and found sisters that covers continents.

Lea’s Memorial Playdate is being held Sunday October 19, 5:30 - 8:30pm, at Morton Arboretum’s Thornhill Education Center. Entrance to the building and Lea’s Formal Playdate begins promptly at 5:30pm. In honor of Lea's work and mission to hold space for the whole spectrum of life- this Playdate with Death for Lea will honor her spirit and wishes; providing attendees a formal remembrance service, spaces for quiet contemplation in the surrounding gardens, and a space to nourish the soul with play and creativity. Families welcome. Guests please mention at the parking kiosk that you are attending Lea’s memorial service for free parking and an all-day grounds pass. Service attendees may enjoy free all-day admission to the Arboretum on Sunday prior to the event.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to offset final expenses here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-lea-focus-on-health-and-family. Arrangements by Inclusive Funeral Care, 773-318-1305 or www.InclusiveFuneralCare.com.