Norma (Vawter) Pierzchala

Norma Pierzchala October 15, 1927 – December 26, 2025

Norma Pierzchala died December 26, 2025 at the age of 98. Norma was born in South Bend, Indiana where she graduated from Adams High School in South Bend, IN. Norma met her late husband, Matthew Pierzchala, on his first day back from deployment for WWII at a bowling alley. They were married for 71 years up to his passing in 2018. 

After several years of various bookkeeping and service-related jobs, she entered the U.S. Civil Service in the early 1980s as a typist for the Federal Government in Washington, DC. She then enrolled at Northern Virginia Community College where she took accounting courses for career advancement gaining a position as an accountant with the General Services Administration.

Outside of work, her passion was the card game Bridge. Norma was an astute player earning the rank of “Gold Life Master” within the American Contract Bridge League. She was an even better ambassador for the game. She enjoyed introducing and teaching the game to any who was interested whether at schools, clubs, and even in a mental institution as a therapy for residents. Norma also had a heart for mentoring and encouraging young people with whom she interacted. 

Norma is survived by sons Mark (Lesley), David (Diane), and Steve (Darla), granddaughters Anna, Esme, and Vita, and grandson Alex. Along with her husband Matthew she was preceded in death by her daughter, Ellen. Norma will be buried with Ellen and Matthew at St Paul’s Episcopal Church in Washington, DC, where they were memorialized and buried in August 2021.

Private service arrangements are pending.

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