Zena Drewisch
Santa Barbara lost a true icon May 18 with the passing of Zena Drewisch.
Born in New Jersey in 1932 to an immigrant from the Netherlands. Her father became a baker after landing at Ellis island and the job his sponsor had promised fell through. Zena was the first of four children (Janet, Joesph and Helen). She was always known as “ the hardworking and responsible one.” At 14 she worked the counter at Woolworths. After graduating from high school in 1950, she became a secretary on a military base. There she met Burbank (Bob) Colomy, a Marine. They married in 1951, both aged 19. They moved across the country to California where he attended Cal Poly to become an engineer. Bob worked summer jobs on abalone boats and suddenly dropped out of college.
Zena and Bob moved to Santa Barbara in 1954 and rented a small house on Cota street while he pursued his new career. Now with 3 children, Zena was a ‘fisherman’s wife’. A role she’d never envisioned. Despite herculean efforts, her marriage dissolved. A divorced mother with 3 kids to support Zena was determined to succeed.
Zena entered the real estate business at a time when few women were recognized as Realtors. Many years later she would confide to a colleague, “the treated me like a coffee girl”. Her real estate career had just begun to blossom when she met the ‘Real love of her life’ Bill Drewisch. Bill, a dashing Santa Barbara native with his four kids, and Zena with her three, married in 1969 and became the original Brady Bunch.
Zena’s career in real estate began to soar. Bill owned a plastering company with his brother and was no stranger to hard work. Zena and Bill worked as a team buying, remodeling, and selling homes long before the term ‘flipping’ was popular. They also added a twist, living in each home they purchased, with children, while remodeling. Zena’s real estate career continued apace. Zena became a broker in 1977. She partnered with Cyndee Eliassen at Classic properties.
In 1983 Zena was named president of the Santa Barbara board of Realtors. In 1984 Zena was named Realtor of the year. Also In 1984, the board researched the chain of title for the Reagan ranch and Zena presented the legal document to president Reagan. Zena became the executive vice president of the board of realtors in 1987. Zena’s leadership focused on efficiency, calmness and wit. She served in that role, earning admiration and respect from her peers, until 2004.Also while in that position, Zena was deeply involved with the Unity Shoppe and Habitat for Humanity.
Zena finally decided to retire in 2004. That year, Renee Grubb of Village Properties convinced Zena to postpone that decision and co-manage Village Properties with Patty Tunnicliffe. She worked with Renee and Ed Edick for seven more years.
During her tenure at Village, Zena helped create the Teachers Fund. A charity to help local teachers that still exists today. She finally retired from the real estate business in 2011.
While Zena’s professional accomplishments ascended beyond her expectations, her family was always her priority.
Her dedication to Bill and their collective children always seemed to eclipse her dedication to her career. The family was often unaware of her contributions to the real estate profession as her focus at home was always family first. She always encouraged you, while challenging you, to do better than you thought you were capable. When you achieved that next level, her knowing smile told you she believed in you all along.
Zena and Bill’s marriage lasted over 50 years until his passing in 2020.
Zena is survived by her children Paul Colomy (Ann), Leslie Hampe (Dan) Mike Drewisch, Jim Colomy (Jolene) Bob Drewisch, David Drewisch, Diane Johnson (Ron), Gretchen Wenner. Her 15 grandchildren, and 13 Great grandchildren.
A gathering to celebrate the lives of Bill and Zena will be held at the Santa Barbara Elks Lodge, 150 N. Kellogg Avenue, Santa Barbara, on Saturday June 29 1:00p.