Mary Zappia

Mary Zappia, 100, of Lawton, passed away peacefully at her grandson and granddaughter’s home on Saturday, January 28, 2023. Her beloved family will miss her but hold fast to the promises in 1 Thessalonians 4:13, 14, 16 “But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus…For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.”

Mary was born on April 5, 1922, in Chicago, IL, to the late Antonio and Rosina (Salerno) Abruzzino, who immigrated to America from Italy in 1905. She was the second to youngest child of 12 siblings: Filippo, Elizabeth, Nick, Concetta, George, Joseph, Philomena, Frank, Annie, Yolanda, and a stillborn baby. On January 27, 1946, she married Frank Zappia, and they were blessed with a daughter, Dorothy, and a son, Frank Jr. They relocated from Chicago to Bangor, MI to raise their family. Frank Sr. preceded her in death on April 20, 2003, as did her daughter, Dorothy on April 7, 2018.

Mary was a homemaker, who loved to cook and bake Italian foods for her family. She was a creative and gifted artist, composing many beautiful paintings, an avid seamstress, including crocheting and knitting, and a porcelain doll maker. Her giving heart and sense of humor brightened many lives. Faith and family were the core of her life. She was a member of Pioneer Memorial Church.

She is survived by her son, Frank (Kay) Zappia; her grandchildren: Annie (Mark) Beardsley, Tony (Summer) Zappia, Kent (Alice) Zappia, Ryan (Tamra) Roberts; 11 great-grandchildren; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers and sisters, her husband, and her daughter.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Allred Funeral Home, www.allredfuneralhome.com. A Memorial Service will take place at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 3, at the Village S.D.A. Church, 635 St. Joseph Ave., Berrien Springs, with visitation at 10 a.m. prior to the service. Interment will be in Mission Hills Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Village Adventist Elementary School (VAES) Worthy Student Fund, 409 W. Mars Street, Berrien Springs, MI 49103.