Erin Cubbie Cox

In the peace of her home on January 7, 2026, surrounded by family and close friends, Erin Leigh Cox transitioned from wife, mom, daughter, friend and tireless community leader, to legendary inspiration. She left us just in time to get herself up to NMSR to listen to her children, Emma and Aayden talk about her at the candlelight vigil that our town held for her on Wednesday. While cancer stopped her from watching this weekend’s Bears Packers playoff game with her family, we can’t help but think she will be sitting on the 50 yard line at that game tonight with her dad. And unlike last week’s game, she will be warm and comfortable. And afterwards no matter the victor she will walk off with a hair flip and confident strut, daubing her final number on her bingo card and claiming the ultimate prize: a life well-lived.

Erin was born in Woodstock, IL, to Tom and Karen Engle—and somehow inherited the lifelong curse of cheering for the Bears and Cubs. Thanks to her dad, she spent her childhood yelling at TVs, celebrating improbable wins, and firmly believing that hope—and stubborn loyalty—was a family trait. That loyalty to Chicago sports eventually earned her the nickname “Cubbie” from friends and family alike.

After her family moved to Missouri, Erin attended Missouri State University, receiving a Bachelor of Science, and Public Relations/Image Management. After graduation, Erin met Aarron in a restaurant—where she was, for reasons only Erin could justify, wearing a full pig costume. Somehow, he didn’t run for the hills, and the rest, as they say, was history. The two tied the knot on June 10, 2000 and she added wife and stepmom to what would become a long list of titles. Erin embraced the role of stepmom to his daughter Airen Nicole, a 3 year old redheaded firecracker who loved the lunches and dance parties that her Miss Erin would have for her.

A natural inspiration to others, Erin became a creative, energetic and award-winning public speaker, corporate trainer, author and consultant. Erin founded EnterTRAINing International in 2009, facilitating thousands of seminars throughout the United States and abroad and dedicated over 15 years at Korn Ferry.

In 2004, Erin officially added fulltime “Mom” to her long list of titles, and suddenly her children, Emma and Aayden, became the center of her universe. With Emma, she cheered, relentlessly through the snow, rain, wind, and oppressively hot heat at softball games, they traveled near and far, explored new places, and went on countless shopping adventures, turning every outing into a memory they would treasure forever. With Aayden, she cheered on the sidelines at every football, baseball and basketball game, emceed his football banquets, and filled car rides with music turned all the way up. Erin was always the loudest in stands, hence the reason she broke her vocal cords while cheering so loud at a kindergarten flag football championship game. Hence the emergence of the famed cowbells….. of all the titles she would claim, mom and sports mom were definitely her favorite. While Emma sports days are behind us and she never missed a single one, we know that she will still be at every football, baseball or any other event of Aayden’s, and now she be screaming the loudest with those fully functioning vocal cords. They were the reason she laughed harder, dreamed bigger, and somehow still made the world a better place every single day.

She had an adventurous spirit and a deep love for trying new and unusual things. She collected the weirdest treasures she could find, embraced the unexpected, and rarely turned down a new experience—especially if it involved comedians, magic shows, bingo or live concerts. As Erin would say “Say yes to the things that scare you a little, try the weird thing, take the trip.” Whether traveling, exploring, laughing until she cried, or diving headfirst into something completely unique, Erin was determined to live life fully, loudly, and without regret—and she encouraged everyone around her to do the same.

Erin was a tireless community builder, advocate, and compassionate leader whose life was defined by service to others. Known for seeing needs where others saw obstacles, Erin responded not with words, but with action. She organized and led fundraising efforts for tornado relief, families displaced by house fires, and those facing sudden tragedy. During the isolation of COVID, she ensured nursing home residents received Christmas gifts, and in 2024, she adopted families from the Turning Point Domestic Violence Shelter during the holiday season. Erin believed deeply that compassion should preserve humanity.

Erin was a cofounder and sustaining force behind the New Melle 411 Facebook page. Through this platform, she helped launch the Small-Town Strong campaign during COVID. Collectively, these efforts raised well over $1.5 million for families in need, eventually leading Erin to establish a 501(c)(3).

In 2022, Erin was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer. Even while navigating her own treatment, she continued to serve others—advocating for fellow cancer patients, raising funds for chemotherapy centers, and addressing gaps in care that often went unnoticed. She authored and published Flashing Lights, sharing her cancer journey and donating all proceeds to create Chemo Carts. When Erin recognized that chemotherapy patients were often left hungry, cold, and afraid, she refused to accept “policy” as an excuse for suffering. She organized community-wide fundraisers to stock infusion centers with food and comfort supplies, work that later expanded into partnerships with oncology centers and schools. These efforts resulted in thousands of donated items and the creation of the Cancer PALS volunteer program.

Beyond cancer advocacy, Erin organized meal trains for families battling illness, fundraisers for children injured in catastrophic accidents, wheelchair-accessible transportation so students could attend milestone events, Thanksgiving and holiday food drives, and support for animal sanctuaries aligned with her values of care.

Erin embodied the words of Fred Rogers: “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” She was a catalyst for generosity who never sought recognition. Instead, she empowered others—neighbors, students, businesses, healthcare workers, and first responders—to see themselves as capable of kindness and meaningful action.

Erin’s legacy is not measured solely in dollars raised, but in dignity restored, isolation reduced, and communities strengthened. Her impact will continue to be felt through the lives she touched and the compassion she inspired.

This is not a goodbye for Erin, but a reminder to live as she did—boldly and for others, never to play it too safe. It’s a celebration—and she would expect laughter, stories, and a whole lot of people showing up for each other. Best to “Laugh than cry”.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages a purchase of Erin's book, "Flashing Lights", as all proceeds will be going to Erin's future work towards patient care. If you have already purchased a book, we encourage that extra's be sent and donated to centers for patients undergoing treatment.

A recording of the service will be available at a later date. Please check back.