Irene G. Nowak

Dundee: Irene G. Nowak, age 101.5, of Dundee, NY passed away on Monday January 12, 2026. Devoted wife of Richard Nowak (1916-1999); Mom to Patty Nowak and Andrew Comens, Nancy Nowak and Jon Leach, and Lois Nowak and (Mary) Lou Guthrie, as well as “bad son” John Lamping; sister of Alfred Zebrowski and Raymond Zebrowski; Godmother to Linda Susens Jackson and Wayne Zebrowski; Aunt Irene to Barb Zebrowski and aunt/great aunt to other loved nephews and nieces.

Born in Greenpoint, NY, in 1924 to father Edward Zebrowski and mother Anna Scheaver, Irene grew up in Port Jefferson Station on Long Island, where she was a gifted student and record-setting athlete at Port Jefferson High School. An important presence later in her life was her stepdad Vernon Waldron. 

Irene and Richie Nowak married on August 3, 1947, raising their family—which through the years included many rescue cats and the canine prodigy Buster Gerald—in Bellmore, Long Island. Her daughters fondly remember the wonderful home life Irene created as she organized rainy-day scavenger hunts and summer Kamp Kawon events, baked from scratch, planned day trips and longer travels, and at the end of the work-filled week, set up the Scrabble board for her and Richie’s Saturday night game.

In 1979, Irene and Richie moved to Dundee, NY, where she participated in many community activities and for several years served as pastor for the Starkey United Methodist Church. Irene was an enthusiastic photographer, a devoted dog and cat mom, and a skilled gardener whose homegrown veggies enhanced many dishes she cooked. An avid reader, she was fascinated by works of history, especially books about the life of Lincoln. Irene maintained her passion for travel, enjoying trips with family members to Europe, Canada, the West Coast and Alaska, and even along the Devil’s Highway.

Irene Nowak felt she was blessed with a loving family and many helpful, caring neighbors and friends, above all Deb Parkhurst, all of whom were blessed by her presence in their lives.

‘Twas a great race, Biscuit!

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Shelter of Hope/Humane Society of Yates County, PO Box 12, Penn Yan, NY 14527 (www.yateshumane.org).

A visitation and viewing will be held from 3 pm to 6 pm. on Friday January 23, 2026, at Baird Funeral Home, 36 Water Street, Dundee, N.Y.; Burial will be private in Hillside Cemetery, Dundee, N.Y.  A celebration of Irene’s life will be take place in the spring of 2026. 

Online condolences can be sent by visiting www.bairdfuneralhomedundee.com.