Erin Behnke Obituary

Erin Marie Behnke

Erin Marie Behnke passed away peacefully on July 11, 2025, with her husband, Chris, by her side. She was 58 and lived in Chicago and Decatur, Illinois.

Erin was born in Philadelphia to Jim and Christine Fitzpatrick in 1966. In October 1992, Erin and Chris married at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They looked forward to celebrating their 33rd wedding anniversary this Fall with their three children: Greta, Will, and Meghan with whom they loved to travel, vacation, and celebrate family milestones.

Erin graduated from Carnegie Mellon University in 1992 with a Bachelor of Science and Northwestern University in 1998 with a master's degree in psychology. In 2014, Erin completed her doctorate in psychology at the University of Chicago. She loved her clinical work.

Erin served as the condominium board president of their longtime home for 5 years. Erin also found great joy in volunteering for Ballet Chicago and the University of Chicago Laboratory School, in support of her children.

Erin was an avid runner. In 2001, she finished the Chicago Marathon in the top two percent of female competitors. She then completed the Boston Marathon in the top 15 percent of female runners.

Erin had a passion for music. Even in the thick of her cognitive struggles, she remembered every word of her favorite songs from The Grateful Dead, Van Morrison, The Who, and Dire Straits. Never again will Chris and Erin's children hear a Grateful Dead song without remembering their wife and mother singing and dancing along.

Erin is preceded in death by her parents, Jim and Christine Fitzpatrick, and her brother, Kevin Fitzpatrick.

Erin is survived by her husband, William Christopher Behnke; her three children, Greta Larrabee-Behnke (and wife Julia Larrabee-Behnke), William Christopher Behnke Jr., and Meghan Loreto Behnke; her sisters Lisa Frey and Meghan Fitzpatrick-O'Brien; and a many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends will meet Friday, July 18, 2025, at Holy Name Cathedral, 735 North State Street, Chicago, Illinois 60654 for a 9:30 a.m. Visitation followed by a 10:30 a.m. Funeral Mass. Free parking for Holy Name Cathedral is available at 14 West Superior Street (between Dearborn Street and State Street). Please use any nonreserved parking space on Lower Level One (LL1) or Lower Level Two (LL2).

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Erin's name to causes close to her heart, most especially the Portsmouth Abbey School, the Alzheimer's Association, and the Lincoln Park Zoo.

For further information please call 312-421-0936 or www.michalikfuneralhome.com