Olivia “Lil” (Lombardo) Zappala, 98, of Methuen passed away peacefully on December 24, 2014 at Penacook Place in Haverhill. Lil was born in Lawrence on November 12, 1916 to the late Natale and Rosaria (Palmisano) Lombardo. She was a member of St. Rita’s Sodality of Holy Rosary Church in Lawrence. She was a communicant at St. Lucy’s Parish of Methuen for over 40 years. She was employed for many years in the clothing industry at Polo and Bronzetti Brothers. Lil enjoyed cooking Italian specialties for her extended family. Fried dough, pasta and meatballs and eggplant parmesan were everyone’s favorites. She also enjoyed spending time with her family, especially with her grandchildren in Methuen and at Salisbury Beach.
Lil was the loving wife of the late G. Anthony Zappala. She is survived by her son Thomas A. Zappala and his wife Sheila of Andover, sister Mary Ann Fitzpatrick and her husband Jack of Methuen, grandchildren Cara Zappala, Anthony Zappala, Christopher Zappala, Lisa Palermo and Catherine Calla. She is also survived by seven great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Lil was predeceased by her daughter Marie Zappala Lister, son John J. Zappala, and brothers Lorenzo Lombardo and Joseph Lombardo.
Friends and guests are invited to call on Sunday, December 28, 2014 at 2:00 PM until 6:00 PM at the Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home, 233 Lawrence St. Methuen. A mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, December 29, 2014 at 9:00 AM at St Lucy’s Parish of Methuen. Interment to follow at Bellevue Cemetery of Lawrence. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Penacook Place Employee Fund, 150 Water St. Haverhill, MA 01830. The Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home is honored to serve the Zappala Family.