Michele Bernice Weber, 76, passed away on August 27, 2026. She was an incredibly strong and brave woman. Throughout her life, she faced challenges with extraordinary courage and strength, successfully battling both breast and uterine cancer. No matter what life placed in front of her, Michele continued to fight with determination, humor, and an unwavering love for her family.
Born in Brooklyn, New York and raised in Valley Stream, Long Island, Michele devoted much of her life to education. She earned a master’s degree in education as well as an Education Specialist (Ed.S.) degree and spent 32 years teaching elementary school in Port Jervis and Garrison, New York. She developed gifted and talented curricula for both schools where she taught and always found new and creative ways to enrich the lives of her students, including a simulated stock market and Shakespearean plays. She was also a devoted coach of Odyssey of the Mind (OM), encouraging students to think creatively, solve problems, and work together as a team. Over the course of her career, she touched the lives of countless children and families and brought the same patience, strength, and compassion to her classroom that she brought to her family.
Above everything else, Michele loved her family fiercely and would have done absolutely anything for them. Michele shared 54 wonderful years of marriage with her beloved husband, Leonard Weber. Together, they raised three children: Brian, Cara, and Leah. Raising strong, independent daughters was incredibly important to Michele, and she could not have been prouder of the women they became. Her son, Brian, who has special needs, held a particularly special place in her heart and she always fought hard to make sure he had every resource that he needed.
She was an incredibly proud and loving Grammy to her grandchildren, Adam and Abigail. Every Monday afternoon, Michele cooked with Adam, patiently teaching him how to make her famous meatballs and passing down the family recipes and traditions she cherished. She rarely missed one of Abby’s dance competitions or flag football games and was always one of her loudest and proudest supporters.
Michele could always be counted on to be there for her family whenever they needed her. She was only a phone call away and would show up at the drop of a hat, no matter the circumstances. Her family always knew they could depend on her for comfort, encouragement, help, or simply her presence.
Michele’s Jewish faith and identity were an important part of who she was. She deeply valued Jewish culture, traditions, and the importance of family, carrying those traditions throughout her life and passing them down to her children and grandchildren.
Michele was strong, funny, caring, empathetic and fiercely protective of the people she loved. Even after retiring, she never stopped learning, laughing, or challenging herself. She loved word games and especially enjoyed competing in Wordscapes tournaments, where she reached level 35,000.
Michele and Leonard also shared a love of travel and adventure. Together, they explored the world, visiting unforgettable places including Europe, Egypt, France, China, and Australia, and creating memories they treasured for a lifetime.
Michele was preceded in death by her mother, Adele Weidberg; her brother, Mark Weidberg; her parents-in-law, Samuel and Sarah Weber; and her brother-in-law, Harold Weber. She is survived by her beloved husband, Leonard Weber; her children, Brian Weber, Cara Ferreira and her husband, CJ Baaklini, and Leah Weber; her grandchildren, Adam and Abigail Ferreira; her sister, Lynn Yovino; her brother-in-law, Stuart Miller; her niece, Cindy Prince, Cindy’s husband, Morgan, and their children, Genevieve and Lincoln; her nephew, Phillip Yovino, his wife, Jenny, and their son, Oliver; and her nephew, Samuel Weber, and his son, Brody.
Michele’s life was defined not by the battles she fought, but by the family she raised, the students she taught, the traditions she passed down, the adventures she shared, and the immeasurable love she gave. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered. Her strength, sense of humor, compassion, dependability, and unconditional love will remain with her loved ones forever.
A funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, August 31, at Ponte Vedra Valley. A short reception will follow at Ponte Vedra Valley, followed by shiva at the Weber family home in Ponte Vedra.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Michele’s memory to K9s For Warriors (Donate - K9s For Warriors), Tom Coughlin Jay Fund (Jay Fund Childhood Cancer Supporting FL and NY by Tom Coughlin), The Arc Northeastern Pennsylvania (Welcome to The Arc Northeastern Pennsylvania).
