Dr. Erika L. Whitmore of Chestnut Hill died unexpectedly on Feb. 7 at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. She was 73.

She was born on June 16, 1947 in Chicago, Ill., to Dr. Albert Leningher and Jan Wilson. She graduated from Connecticut College with a degree in art history and continued to paint and draw until her death. After college, she pursued a career in medicine, studying at Johns Hopkins and UC-San Diego. After completing her residency in pathology and cyto-pathology at Massachusetts General Hospital, she worked in several hospitals in the Boston area, including Mount Auburn and St. Elizabeth’s Hospital. She retired from medicine in 1995.

Throughout her life, she was an avid sailor. She spent more than 30 years going to Chappaquiddick on Martha’s Vineyard and sailing and racing as a member of the Edgartown Yacht Club. She enjoyed playing golf at The Country Club with her husband or discussing gardening with her large group of friends. She loved to travel and throughout her life enjoyed trips in the U.S. and all over the globe with her family. Always generous with her time to support others, she volunteered weekly for over 10 years at the Planned Parenthood call center in Boston. Her giving spirit made her a cherished wife, mother, grandmother, friend, and neighbor. She was happiest when she was surrounded by her family and friends.

She was a devoted wife to her husband of 37 years H. Thomas Aretz, and loving mother to her children Alex Whitmore, Katharine Aretz, Anne Aretz, her step-son Carsten Aretz, her daughter in law Kathleen Fulton and her grandchildren Cora, Sloane and Tessa.

A private family interment was held on Feb. 13 at Mount Auburn Cemetery. A virtual memorial service will be arranged in the coming weeks. Those interested in attending the virtual service should contact Alex Whitmore at awhitmore@gmail.com for details.

Donations can be made to Dana Farber Cancer Institute or Planned Parenthood.