Patricia Madden Grzenda

Patricia Madden Grzenda (Pat), 73, passed away September 30, 2026, at home following a stoic and unwavering battle with cancer. Family and friends were by her side. The family will welcome friends from 6:00-8:00 p.m., Friday, October 16, 2026, at Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence, KS.

A memorial service will be held 11:00 a.m., Saturday, October 17, 2026, St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church in Lawrence, KS, immediately followed by a celebration of her life at the Adams Alumni Center on KU’s campus.

Pat was born on January 27, 1953, in Dallas, TX, the daughter of James. and June (Moran) Madden. Early in her childhood, the family moved to Palos Verdes, California, where Pat joined a swim club—an activity that would impact her life and the lives of thousands of others for generations to come. In 1962, Pat’s family moved to Leawood, KS, where she continued to swim competitively. In 1971, she graduated from Shawnee Mission South High School and enrolled at KU where she was a butterfly swimmer on the nascent swim and dive team. In 2022, she was honored by the Kansas K Club for her foundational contributions to KU women’s athletics.

After graduating from KU with a master’s degree in education, Pat began her profession as an adaptive physical education teacher for the Lawrence, KS school district. She was an itinerant teacher working with students with disabilities in all the public schools in Lawrence. A position she held for the next 34 years, until retiring in 2011. In 2004, Pat was selected as a Kansas Master Teacher. Because of her dedication and inspiration to her students, the Lawrence school district named the annual adaptive triathlon the Pat Grzenda Adaptive Triathlon. The triathlon celebrated its seventh year this past spring. Pat was there—as she was every year—congratulating all the athletes and placing medals around each athlete’s neck. She called it a “joyous, joyous day.”

Along with her dedicated work with her students, in 1978 Pat became Lawrence High School’s swim coach. Coach Pat excelled at coaching, at motivating her teams while making it fun. Every member of every team was valued in Pat’s eyes. Her coaching motto was “everyone comes first”. During practices before a big meet, her swimmers would be found not in the water but lying on the pool deck with their eyes closed. Pat wanted each swimmer to “see” how they were racing the next day. She asked each swimmer to visualize the races from start to finish. Her philosophy and approach worked quite well. During her LHS coaching career, her teams compiled a .850 winning percentage, 10 Sunflower League championships and eight state championships (seven girls’ teams and one boys’ team). A good number of her high school swimmers went on to swim for colleges around the country. She was named Kansas Swim Coach of the Year three times and in 1998 she was named National Boys Swimming Coach of the Year by the Federation of Interscholastic Coaches Association. With the opening of Free State High School in 1997, Pat took on the head coaching duties of the Firebirds boys and girls swim teams as well. In 2001, she retired from coaching both high schools (four teams each school year!). In 2023, the Kansas State High School Activities Association inducted Pat into the KSHSAA Hall of Fame.

In her spare time and for more than two decades during her summer breaks, Pat coached the age-group swimmers for the Lawrence Aquahawks. When she wasn’t coaching, she loved adventurous activities. She belonged to several walking/hiking groups. She convinced one group to hike rim-to-rim across the Grand Canyon in one day, which she then dubbed The Canyon Girls. After her retirement, Pat and her husband Joe enjoyed spending the winter months in Pismo Beach, CA. (next to the ocean, of course) and traveling around this country and abroad.

Pat was an active member of St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church in Lawrence, where many members gave unselfish support during her hospice care at home.

Pat is survived by her husband of 43 years, Joe. Other survivors include Joe’s daughter Dr. Adrienne L. Grzenda, Pat’s brother Dennis (Debi) Madden, Pat’s sister Mary (Tom) Haynes, two nephews, Matt & TJ, and one niece, Sara, as well as four great-nieces and nephews. All of whom meant the world to Pat. She was beyond excited when her brother’s and sister’s families recently moved back to this area from other parts of the country. Lastly, her beloved cats, Butchy a/k/a “The Beaver” and Trudy survive at the home. Pat was a wonderful, wonderful person, who lived each day by her personal philosophy, “It’s easy to be kind.” Her laughter, her warmth, her genuineness will be greatly missed.

Memorial contributions in Pat’s name may be made to: KU women’s swimming, Lawrence Aquahawks, or the humane society of your choice.

For more information or to post a condolence go to warrenmcelwain.com.