Sharon D. Zappa

Sharon Zappa (nee Doyle), age 75, of Bloomingdale, passed on peacefully to her heavenly home on
Monday, March 8, 2021 after a long illness. Her beloved soulmate and husband of 53 years, Frank, was
by her side as was her dear son, Robert. Sharon was the mother of the late John Zappa and the devoted
grandmother of Antone Zappa and Robert Zappa, Jr. Sharon was overjoyed to witness the marriage of
Rob Jr. and the sweet Sara Lawler at the end of last year.
Born in Chicago on October 10, 1945, Sharon was the eldest daughter of the late Patrick J. Doyle and
Catherine Doyle (nee Thompson). She was a dear big sister to Cecelia Norris, Emily Iland, and Barbara,
Patrick and Jean Doyle. She was a special sister-in law in the Doyle and Zappa families. She is survived by
two Aunts, Emily Eager and Virginia Moore, and was a cherished aunt, cousin, friend and mentor to
many.
Sharon had an outgoing personality and made friends easily at St. Margaret of Scotland Elementary
School and Longwood Academy on Chicago’s South Side. In 1965, she met Frank Zappa at Southern
Illinois University, Carbondale. Their marriage in August 1967 was the beginning of an incredibly strong
lifelong commitment to one another, through good times and bad.
A hard worker, Sharon started in the family business, McDade & Company, at the age of 16. Years later,
she became the giftware buyer for the company and was recognized as a woman pioneer in the discount
industry by the Association of Catalog Showroom Merchandisers.
A devout Catholic, Sharon will long be remembered by the congregation of St. Isidore Parish in
Bloomingdale for decades of service alongside Frank, particularly in Marriage Encounter, Becoming One.
She helped start a new ministry, Helping Hands, dedicated to aiding the homeless. She was recognized
as Woman of the Year for the Council of Catholic Woman for her tireless effort and dedication to people
of the parish.
She was a woman of faith, and Sharon was ready to meet Jesus on the bridge to heaven, just days after
she saw him in a vision waiting for her. Dear Sharon, you leave a huge hole in our hearts. We can only
console ourselves with fond memories of your infectious laugh, your generosity, kindness, and love, and
the wonderful time we shared.

The Memorial Mass will take place on Saturday March 13 at 10:45 am at St. Isidore Catholic Church, 427
W Army Trail Road, Bloomingdale, IL 60108. Those who cannot attend in person are invited to view
service live streamed at www.stisidoreparish.org.
Interment will be private.  A larger, social gathering to celebrate Sharon’s life will be deferred until later
in the year. In lieu of flowers, donations in her honor may be made to Helping Hands Ministry c/o St.
Isidore Catholic Church.