Eunice Esther Sorlien Chomicz, of Chicago, Ill., died June 19, 2005 of cancer in Chicago. She was 63 years old.

Sorlien was diagnosed with cancer May 1, 2005.

She was born July 27, 1941, in Buffalo Center, Iowa. She married Tom Chomicz in Chicago in 1961. Chomicz is still living.

She lived in Rake, Iowa, from 1939 to 1943; Decorah, Iowa during World War II; Lake Crystal from 1954 to 1959; and Luther College, University of Minnesota, Minnesota Art Institute and Chicago, Ill., from 1969 to 2005.

Over her life she did thousands of hours of volunteer work. She was a volunteer at St. Ignatius College Prep for 20 years, earning the Golden Rose award, the highest honor for volunteers there. She was hired by the school for communications. She volunteered in the City of Chicago’s Alternative Policing Strategy, or CAPS. She coordinated the CAPS program with the 22nd District Chicago police commander. She became the chairperson of the Court Watch program, arranging for volunteers to attend court proceedings in support of various victims of crimes. She was recognized there for distinguished service also.

In 1997, the Chicago Province Jesuits asked her to serve as copy editor, writer, photographer and managing editor of the Jesuit Magazine. She managed freelance writers and photographers and worked with a design team. Today this is an award-winning magazine.

She was also affiliated with the St. Xavier University. She was a patron of arts and theater, supporting the Beverly Arts Center, as will as a member of the Beverly Area Planning Association. Just prior to cancer diagnosis she was accepted a position on the Developmental Advisory Council of the Chicago Province Jesuits.

She and her husband, Tom, had recently completed a trip to Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam with their son and daughter-in-law. Their travels also included Chile, Ecuador, Europe, Mexico, and throughout the United States.

The funeral service was held June 22, 2005, in Hesper, Iowa. Pastor Paul Sorlien presided. She was buried June 22 in the Hesper Lutheran cemetery. A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. June 28 at St. Barnabas Church in Chicago, Ill. A reception will follow at the Beverly Country Club.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Pastor S. O. Sorlien and Selma Theressa Burreson Sorlien, and her parents-in-law.

She is survived by her children: Susan, Dallas, Texas; Tony, Chicago, Ill.; Carrie, St. Paul; Leslie, San Diego, Calif.; John, Chicago, Ill.; and Elisabeth, Chicago, Ill. Her siblings: John Sorlien, Portland, Ore.; Pastor Paul Sorlien, Underwood, Iowa; Naomi Jasmer, Willmar; Grace Johnson, St. Ansgar, Iowa; Ruth Larson, Austin; and Lois Fossen, Minnetonka.