Elizabeth June "Topsy" Kummetz, nee Doonan, age 90, of Chicago passed away June 14th, 2022. Loving wife of the late Ernest F. Kummetz for 62 years; dear mother of Martin J. , Christopher E. , the late Celeste E. , and Keith D. "Dan" (Nicole;) proud grandmother of Luca G; fond sister of the late Keith (Virginia) Doonan; the late Leota (Manford) Flack; and the late Miriam (Perry) Ford. Loving daughter of the late Ernest and Lillie L, nee Shubert, Doonan; special aunt, great aunt, and friend to many. Memorial Service Saturday, July 30th, 11:00 am Messiah Lutheran Church, 6200 W. Patterson Ave. , Chicago, IL, 60634. Visitation to follow 2:00 - 6:00 pm at the family residence. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, www. nationalmssociety. org or Blind Service Association www. blindserviceassociation. orgFor information [email protected] or 773-545-5747Born October 25th, 1931, on a farm near Reynolds, Illinois, Elizabeth June Doonan was a cheerful and energetic child. She was affectionally nicknamed "Topsy" by her family and was known to them as such throughout her life. At age 7 Elizabeth developed issues with her eyesight. At great sacrifice to a modest farming family, they made numerous trips to Chicago to see eye specialists, and later, many surgeries. The ophthalmic attention was to little avail, and she suffered a complete loss of vision by the age of nine. Chicago's immensity, energy, and excitement had a great impact on her, which would guide essential decisions later in her life. Liz re-entered the second grade, now far from home at the Illinois School for the Blind and Deaf at Jacksonville. It was there she developed skills of resourcefulness, self-reliance, independence, and learning, which would benefit her for the rest of her life. After completing elementary and high school at Jacksonville, she went on, the first in her family, to attend college. She graduated from the University of Illinois, Champaign, with a bachelor's degree in Education. Returning to Reynolds, Liz wanted neither to be a burden to family nor live with little purpose. There would be scarce opportunities in such a rural area for a blind woman. Against her father's advice, and her mother's concern, she chose to venture to Chicago, despite not knowing anyone, and having only a few contacts through college friends. She found residence at the Eleanor Club for Women in Lincoln Park and soon thereafter secured a position as a Dictaphone typist at the Plastic Contact Lens Company in Chicago's downtown "loop. "Liz had a pleasant speaking and singing voice, which caught the ear of Ernie Kummetz at rehearsals for a choral group to which they both belonged. Having recently lost his eyesight, he was struggling to learn Braille. Liz suggested that it might be good practice to write letters to each other in Braille. It wasn't long before closing salutations in her replies transitioned from "regards," or "sincerely," to "affectionately, Liz. "She married Ernest F Kummetz at a country church wedding in her hometown of Reynolds on May 4th, 1957. They would remain husband and wife for the next 62 years. Liz and Ernie settled in the West Lakeview neighborhood on Chicago's north side. They welcomed their first son, Marty, in 1961, and in 1965 Christopher Ernest arrived. The couple purchased their first home in 1968 on the far northwest side where they happily lived the rest of their lives. Liz gave birth to her third son, Danny in 1973. Although she was born on a farm, Liz was never much of a nature girl, preferring the frontier of the great indoors. Having left the workforce shortly after the birth of Chris, she occupied herself with all the duties of a homemaker and mother. Much time was also devoted to crafts, primarily knitting and crochet. She dabbled with weaving and even caught the Macrame bug of the 1970s. Reading and learning were also important to her, and she and Ernie spent many hours together listening to Talking Books provided by the Library of Congress. Her favorite method, however, would always be Braille. Whether reading aloud or to herself, she continued this practice into her final days. She loved her church dearly. She and Ernie attended services regularly and were very active members of the congregation. Liz served as a greeter, reader, and on the Board of Education for the adjoining day school. Messiah Lutheran Church and School held an important place in her heart. Liz was also quite active in Chicago's Blind and Low Vision community, serving on the Board for The Guild for the Blind and participating in many activities at the Chicago Lighthouse. Around 2000 she was one of the founders of the Knitting Club at Blind Service Association and taught fellow clients there for nearly twenty years. The arrival of her grandson, Luca, son of Dan and Nicole, brought even greater joy into her life. She especially loved having him tell her all about his good grades and describe his hockey victories. She loved her Chicago Bulls and the Cubs, listening to every game she could on the radio. Liz Kummetz overflowed with love for everyone and all who knew her loved her back. She passed away suddenly but peacefully this past Tuesday evening, June 14th, 2022. There are no gallery images.