Virginia “Ginny” McBride

Ginny passed away surrounded by her family on October 21, 2023 at age 82 due to complications from a heart procedure to replace her aortic valve. She is the loving wife of 61 years to her high school sweetheart J. Michael McBride. Devoted mother of Julie (Dale) Wrycha and Brenda (Hutch) Renk. Proud grandmother of Faith Wrycha and Allison Renk. Dear sister of of Irene (Mike) Weidman, the late Robert and Don Henniges. Sister in law of Joann (the late Gene) Neven, Nancy (Curt) Struyk, and Karen Henniges. Further survived by nieces, nephews, additional family members and friends.

Ginny was an all-state basketball player in Iowa, who played as a freshman and who’s team went to State Tournament 4 years in a row. She holds the record of starting in 16 consecutive state tournament games and was elected to the Iowa girls basketball Hall of Fame in 1965.

She always wanted to be a nurse and graduated from Allen College of Nursing in 1962, in Waterloo, Iowa. She moved to Milwaukee 1963 after Mike finished graduate school. In 1990, she endowed a nursing scholarship and the 17th recipient received it in the spring of this year.

Ginny had poly-cystic kidney and liver disease (PKD) and in 2012 started on kidney dialysis. Two years later, her nephew Brad Henniges donated a kidney to her. Because of the caring and compassionate care she received from Froedtert nurses during her transplant, she began supporting Froedtert’s scholarship program for nurses who want to further their nursing education.

Ginny enjoyed card games, especially bridge. She played golf and tennis at Westmoor where her family has been members for 50 years. Ginny volunteered at the Gathering soup kitchen, Laubach Literacy Center, which teaches teens and adults to read, and United Methodist Children’s Center food pantry.

The family would like to thank the doctors and nurses in the Cardiovascular ICU at Froedtert Hospital for their compassionate care to sustain her life. Gathering at Krause Funeral Home, 21600 West Capitol Drive, Brookfield, Wisconsin on Sunday, October 29 from 11:00 AM – 12:45 PM. Memorial Service at 1:00 PM. Internment at Wisconsin Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorials appreciated to Life Navigators, mission of improving the quality of life for physically and mentally challenged people, 7203 West Center Street, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin 53210 or Kathy’s House, a hospital guest house, 9101 West Doyne Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53226.