Chris "Sylvia" Gorman was 85 when she entered into Eternal Rest on June 24, 2025. Chris was born on November 11, 1939 in Saline, Michigan. She was the oldest of four children born to Robert M. Van Leuven and Frances Van Leuven, née Morlock. She lived a life full of love, creativity, and dedication to service.

Chris attended Butler High School, class of 1957, participated in the drama club, on the basketball team, and played the flute in the band. She attended Purdue University, where she met her future husband Howard Gorman, while both of them walked home from church, and graduated from Purdue in 1961. That same year, Howard and Chris married at Immaculate Conception Church in Auburn, Indiana.

Chris settled in Tustin, California, where she and Howard lived for 40 years, raising three children. They operated a highly regarded confections brokerage, and they won numerous Jelly Belly National Broker of the Year awards together. She was an active and long-time parishioner at St. Cecilia's Catholic Church. Chris was also broadly creative and had a keen interest in the arts. She had a passion for repurposing furniture, painting, cooking, gardening, and decorating. She also enjoyed watching basketball, especially the Purdue University's basketball teams, and was a volunteer for the Cub Scouts organization.

Chris and Howard moved to Bend, Oregon in 2005 to enjoy the mountains and their grandchildren. She volunteered her time and energy at several organizations including the Deschutes Basin Land Trust, Veterans Outreach Services, and especially the Bend Redmond Habitat for Humanity Restore. 

She is survived by her sons Mike and Steve, daughter Kathy, her sister Sharon, brothers Marty and Paul, and her cherished grandchildren, Timothy, Julia, Annalee, Nicolas, and Kenny. 

Chris will be greatly missed, but her remarkable legacy and spirit will continue to inspire and uplift us through those she touched with her love, warmth, and acceptance of others. We take comfort in knowing that she is at Home and with Howard.

A Mass in memory of Chris will be held at St. Cecilia's Catholic Church on August 30, 2025. A reception will follow at 11:30 AM at Roma D'Italia in Tustin, California. After the reception, guests are invited to her inurnment at Ascension Cemetery on August 30, 2025, at 2:00 PM. 

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