Irena Frydrych Tuohy, 64, artist Held in Siberia in WWII, she became U.S. citizen in 1965

It was just another crisp November day in autumn 1965. For IrenaFrydrych Tuohy, it was the day she became a U.S. citizen and finallyhad a country she could call home.

Mrs. Tuohy died July 30 at Resurrection Medical Center after along illness. She was 64.

When Mrs. Tuohy was just 2 years old, she and her family wereuprooted from their farm home near Sarny, Poland, at the start ofWorld War II. The family was taken to a work camp in Siberia, wherethey stayed for three years until 1942, when the Poles were releasedfrom the camp by the Allies. Her father had died at the camp.

Young Irena became ill and was separated from her mother andsiblings. She was cared for by an order of nuns. When she recovered,she landed in an Iranian orphanage with other refugee children.

While living in Tehran, she recalled, she performed a dance forthe Shah of Iran, according to her husband, attorney John O. Tuohy.

After traveling throughout the Middle East with the nuns who caredfor her, the British Navy took the group to India.

She lived in Karachi (now in Pakistan) for several months before aU.S. Navy ship took the children to Wellington, New Zealand, whereyoung Irena was raised. She was 7 at the time.

She later told her husband that she recalled ships being torpedoedon the voyage.

While growing up in Wellington, a friend of Mrs. Tuohy's sent aphoto of a group of Polish children, including Mrs. Tuohy, to arelative in Mexico.

Mrs. Tuohy's sister, who was living in Mexico, saw the photo andthe two began writing to each other.

Mrs. Tuohy's sister eventually moved to Chicago, and in 1958 Mrs.Tuohy came to live with her.

In 1960, she and John Tuohy were married.

Despite a tumultuous childhood, Mrs. Tuohy had "a great sense ofhumor and was a great listener," her husband said.

She was also a devoted Catholic and was "overwhelmed" when she sawPope John Paul II when he visited Chicago in 1979.

The couple and their two children lived most of their lives inEdgebrook.

Mrs. Tuohy became an artist and specialized in oils and watercolors.

In addition to her husband, Mrs. Tuohy is survived by her son,John; daughter, Mary Kons; and five grandchildren.

Funeral services were held at Old St. Patrick's Church Friday.Burial was at St. Adalbert Cemetery, in Niles.