Marilyn R. Komosa, Cook County Judge, Passed Away
Chicago, IL -- Judge Marylin Komosa, 65, passed away on April 2 [1997] at Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, IL. She was the first woman of Polish descent elected to a judicial position in the county and served as Cook County Circuit Court Judge from 1964 until her retirement in 1996. She also had the longest tenure of any female judge on the trial level in Cook County, and in the State of Illinois.Ahead of her times, Judge Komosa was one of 15 female judges out of 338 judges in Cook County, yet she won the admiration of her colleagues. In 1983, Judge Harry Comerford said of her: "She has the warmth and an understanding that transcends beyond the bench to the litigants and attorneys who appear before her. Along with her legal knowledge, this combination creates a tremendous atmosphere in her courtroom."
A resident of the Edgebrook neighborhood of Chicago, Judge Komosa graduated cum laude from Loyola University Law School and was a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Northwestern University. She worked in private practice and as a public defender before serving on the bench for 31 years.
She also studied Spanish at the University of Mexico and Polish at Alliance College in PA. More recently, she spent several summer vacations at the Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Catholic University in Lublin, and the John Paul II Center in Rome improving her knowledge of the Polish language and culture.
Judge Komosa was the first woman to serve as President of the Advocates Society, a group of Polish-American attorneys. From 1985-1994, she chaired the Law Day Reception for new citizens. She was Vice President of the Illinois Division of the PAC, a Crown Honorary Member of the Knights of Dabrowski, and was active in other Polonian organizations such as the Polish Women's Alliance, Polish Arts Club, and the Polish Women's Civic Club. She belonged to PRCUA Society #1000.
Judge Komosa's family was also noted for their leadership in the Polonia in Chicago and nationwide. She was the daughter of Charles Rozmarek, President of the Polish National Alliance for 28 years and the Polish American Congress for 24 years, and Wanda Rozmarek, a noted author, educator and philanthropist.
She was also a member of the Women's Bar Association and Federal Bar Association and a Past Director of the National Association of Women Judges. She was listed in "Who's Who in the Midwest," "Who's Who of American Women," and in 1973 she was chosen by Loyola University as one of four women graduates to be included in a special publication entitled "Our Leading Ladies -- The Alumnae."
Judge Komosa was the wife of the late Edward J. Komosa, and mother of four: Edward S., Cathy, Atty. Marilyn (Andrzej) Rogalski of Bethesda, M.D., and Charles A.; grandmother of Alexandra Rogalski; and sister of Elaine (Jorge M.D.) Tovar.
The Mass of Christian Burial was held at St. Hyacinth Parish on the northwest side of Chicago and she was buried in St. Adalbert's Cemetery, Niles, IL. She always gave us her "best." Now, may she rest in eternal peace.
THANK YOU NOTE -- "On behalf of the Rozmarek-Komosa Family, we would like to express our sincerest thanks to all who remembered our dearest mother, Judge Marilyn Rozmarek Komosa, through donations and kind words."
Sincerely, The Komosa Children -- Edward, Cathy, Marilyn and Charles.
Source: Narod Polski, May 21, 1997