Sister Jessica Zwarra

Sister Jessica Zwarra, age 91 a member of the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity, passed away Sunday, May 25, 2025, at the family home, Longwood, Florida.

The former Virginia Zwarra was born on July 19, 1933, in Watertown, Wisconsin, daughter of the late Herbert Zwarra and Lucille (Phillips) Zwarra. She entered the convent in 1951 and professed her vows in 1953. Sister Jessica earned a DDS from Marquette University School of Dentistry, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 

Sister Jessica helped brighten many smiles as she ministered as a dentist for the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity for many years. During most of these years she lived at Holy Family Convent but also spent six years living at Holy Redeemer Convent, Two Rivers, and commuted to Holy Family Convent. While caring for her parents as well as her brother in Longwood, Florida, Sister Jessica also provided dental care for the poor in the Longwood area for several years. For the past nine years Sister Jessica was a member of the Prayer Apostolate for the Community.

Survivors include the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity; brother: Herbert “Don” Zwarra Jr.; cousins; other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents: Herbert and Lucille (Phillips) Zwarra.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:15 am on Thursday, June 5, 2025, at the Holy Family Convent Chapel, Manitowoc. Officiating at the Mass will be the Rev. Placid Stroik, OFM, with burial to follow at the Holy Family Convent Cemetery.

The family will greet relatives and friends from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, at the Holy Family Convent, Manitowoc. A prayer service will be held at 7:00 pm at the Holy Family Convent Chapel. Visitation will continue Thursday morning from 8:00 am until 10:00 am.

Memorial contributions may be made to support retired Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity, in care of FSCC Retirement Fund, Holy Family Convent, 2409 S. Alverno Rd., Manitowoc, WI 54220.

The Newcomer Funeral Home, Longwood, FL and The Lakeshore Family Funeral Homes, Pfeffer location, are assisting the family with arrangements. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family by visiting www.lakeshorefamilyfuneralhomes.com

The Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity would like to thank her brother Don, Patty Bush and all of Sister Jessica’s caregivers as well as the Annunciation Catholic Church Community of Altamote Springs, Florida, for all their caring compassion these past years.

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