Kirstin “Kiri” Noelle (Sweeney) Sowers, age 49, of Champaign, Illinois, peacefully passed away at home on June 12, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.
Kiri was a devoted wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, friend, educator, and leader. She spent over 25 years in public education and is known for her deep compassion, warmth, generosity, and commitment to inclusion and equity in learning.
Kiri is survived by her beloved husband, Rusty Sowers; their children, Fletcher, Tate, and Marigold “Goldie” Sowers; She is also survived by her parents, Thomas and Karen (Moss) Sweeney of Savoy, Illinois; her siblings, Alisha (Michael) Lewis of Champaign and Kyle (Elyse) Sweeney of Elkhorn, Wisconsin; her nieces, Daisy and Belle Lewis; her nephews Oscar and Leo Lewis and Jude and Bodhi Sweeney; her mother-in-law, Vickie (Ken) O’Block; and her brother-in-law, Shannon Sowers, both of Pana, Illinois.
She also leaves behind many beloved aunts, uncles, cousins, extended family members, and friends. A great many of her friendships were lifelong, and her colleagues and students held a lasting place in her heart. Words cannot express the love, joy, and compassion that Kiri brought into their lives.
Born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Kiri spent her childhood in Marion, Iowa, and Naperville, Illinois, where she grew into an exceptional person and athlete. Her parents called her their “Sunshine Girl” since she quickly became a beam of light everywhere she went! As a young person, Kiri was a popular playmate of her siblings and friends playing kickball on the Larick Court cul-de-sac, catching fireflies on summer nights, sledding down Bowman Woods Elementary School hill during winter recesses, attending church youth group, and diving in with the Marion YMCA swim team (coached by her dad) are special family memories from Iowa.
When her family moved to Naperville for Kiri’s middle and high school years, Kiri became a Young Naperville Singer, acted in school musicals, was a varsity swimmer, and a leader in Operation Snowball.
She graduated from Naperville North High School in 1996 and earned a Bachelor of Arts from Carthage College in 1998, where she competed on the Women’s Swim Team and was a Resident Assistant.
Kiri’s teaching career began at Countryside School in Champaign, followed by a year at the Cochabamba Cooperative School in Bolivia. Later, she taught at Tioga Elementary School in Bensenville, Illinois before returning to Champaign, where she continued her impactful work with Unit 4 Schools as a classroom teacher, instructional coach, and curriculum writer.
Kiri mentored more than 50 teachers of multilingual students across 12 campuses, inspiring them both personally and professionally. She received the Champaign Schools Foundation’s Shining Star Award in 2020, was published in Education Week, and presented at the National Association for Bilingual Education and Illinois Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages conferences as well as multiple state conferences focused on supporting linguistically and culturally diverse students.
Kiri earned a Master of Education from the University of Illinois in 2006 and an ESL endorsement from National Louis University in 2014.
Kiri led with vision and heart. She secured grants to support multilingual students, partnered with families and educators on celebrations such as Hispanic Heritage Week, International Night, Lunar New Year, and Thanksgiving, and created the Language Ambassador program to foster cultural exchange and bilingual pride. She also played a key role in creating an English learning program for French Congolese students. Many of the programs and initiatives Kiri developed continue to serve the Champaign community today.
It was Kiri’s nature to uplift others and put others’ first. Kiri embraced life with fullness and purpose. She was an avid traveler, chef, baker, crafter, artist, and lifelong learner, as well as a tireless advocate for the needs of teachers and students. Her journeys took her throughout North and South America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. Wherever Kiri went, she brought people together—with her engaging smile, warmth, and empathy.
Kiri met the love of her life, Rusty, in 2006. They married in 2007 and shared 17 wonderful years of marriage filled with love, laughter, and devotion. Together, they raised three beautiful children—creating a home full of love, joy, and togetherness. They loved traveling, watching movies, hiking, exploring parks, and most of all, spending quality time as a family.
Kiri loved being a wife and mother. Her husband and children carry her spirit with them, which can be seen through their twinkling eyes and helpful hearts. Her sense of humor, creativity, and love for her family permeates her home through special handmade art, photos, and a gentle peace. Kiri loved being in the water and in nature with her family, camping, roasting marshmallows, and hiking. She was an enthusiastic volunteer at her childrens’ schools, at Champaign Urbana Ballet, and at Copper Creek Church. Kiri also relished time with her family at home with books, movies, games, and extra special meals.
Togetherness is present in the closeness of her their children and to each another and to their cousins whether swimming, dancing, or gaming side-by-side. She dreamed up fantastical family adventures and events, including vacations, cousin-sleepovers, imaginative art projects, and more. Kiri loved to gather for family dinners, holidays, or any days. She always made time to listen and add beauty.
A celebration to remember Kiri will be held on Sunday, July 13, 2025, at 3:00 PM at Copper Creek Church in Champaign, Illinois led by Rev. Scott Keeble. The family appreciates all of the support, thoughts, and prayers received, and kindly asks that no flowers be sent.
Kiri brought joy and warmth to everyone who knew her—and far beyond. She is deeply missed and remembered by her husband, children, extended family, and by the countless friends, colleagues, and students whose lives were touched by her love, brilliance, and unwavering belief in their potential.