Vivian I. Zawada

(Vivian) Irene Zawada nee McBride, beloved wife and stepmother, 93 years old, died on July 21, 2026 in Waukesha, WI. Irene was welcomed into her loving family on Valentine’s Day, 1933. The second born of six children, she had four sisters and one brother. After graduating high school, she joined the order, Sisters of Sorrowful Mother in Oshkosh, WI, alongside her sister Alberta. She assisted with hospital x-rays and worked as a teacher. Irene later transitioned out of the order and built a life serving others as an elementary school teacher and a principal. In retirement, she continued her service as a hospital chaplain. She met Michael Zawada at the senior center in Eau Claire. He was setting up emails and teaching computer skills when he caught her eye. Soon they were having lunch, fixing her computer and studying genealogy together. They were a perfect match and joined in holy matrimony on April 23, 2005. Irene and her husband enjoyed life at their lake home Restful Waters, Lake Altoona. They had many adventures together traveling to Ireland, as snowbirds in Arizona, and visiting extended family in Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska and Minnesota.

Irene was proceeded in death by her parents, (Mary) Henrietta and Albert, her sisters Elaine Hansen, Sister Alberta McBride, Rita Bogart and her brother Charles McBride. Irene is survived by her husband Michael Zawada, her sister, Verna Rosauer, stepchildren Cynthia Jahn (Tim), Kim Grossmann (Jeff), Caroline Isaksson (Ed deceased ), Mark Zawada (Barb Blume) and Susan Robbins (Keith), 11 step grandchildren, 16 great step grandchildren, 2 great great step grandchildren and along with many nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 9am on Saturday, August 15, 2026 at Saint Mary’s Catholic Church, 225 South Hartwell, Waukesha WI. A private Rite of Committal will be celebrated at Holy Sepulcher Cemetery, Cudahy, WI. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Regis Catholic Schools Foundation or McDonell Area Catholic Schools.