Dora (Labella) Zappa

Dora (Labella) Zappa of Stoneham passed away on Monday, April 14th, 2025. She is 92 years of age.

Born on Thursday, June 2, 1932 in Cleveland, Ohio, Dora is the loving daughter of the late Joseph Labella and Theresa (Campagnoni) Labella. Dora is a warm, kind, gentle & caring daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt and friend who will be deeply missed.

Dora was a ballet dancer in her youth, and performed at the local theatre where she and her future husband both volunteered as ushers. Dora and Ozzie met through their shared love of music and the arts, and regularly attended the opera, ballet, concerts, museums and theatre. Dora was active in St. Patrick’s parish – she served as a eucharistic minister, taught CCD, was a member of the Prayer Shawl ministry and prepared meals for Community Dinners. Dora is a skilled seamstress, knitter and crocheter and an excellent cook; gifts she shared with all her children. Dora especially loves seeing her many grandchildren & great-grandchildren, doting on her spoiled kitty, and tending her glorious rose garden, which thrives today as a loving testament to Dora and Ozzie.

Dora is the beloved wife of the late Oswald Zappa. She is the devoted mother of Victoria Conley and her husband Daniel, Marc Zappa and his wife Deb, Cynthia Durgin, Camille Howes and her husband Mark, Christopher Zappa and his partner Louise McLellan, and Robert Zappa and his wife Beth. The cherished grandmother of 11, Dora is the doting great grandmother of 10. She is the dear sister of the late Rita Labella and the late Reverend Robert Labella. Dora is also lovingly survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends who will miss her dearly.

Family and friends are cordially invited to gather and share memories with Dora’s family on Monday, May 19th from 8:30am – 9:30am in the Barile Family Funeral Home, 482 Main Street (RT 28) STONEHAM. Parking attendants and elevator are available.

A Funeral Mass Celebrating Dora’s Eternal Life will be held on Monday, May 19th at 10am in Saint Patrick Church, 71 Central Street Stoneham. Interment Saint Patrick’s Cemetery, Stoneham.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations in Dora’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N Michigan Ave. Floor 17 Chicago, IL 60601.

For more information, www.facebook.com/BarileFamilyFuneralHome