Sister Mary Roqueta Zappia |
| Posted 2008-03-14 by Pat Wilson |
| The Arizona Republic, Phoenix, Arizona June 1, 2005 Sister Mary Roqueta Zappia, RSM, died in Phoenix, May 29, 2005, at the age of 89. Born in Clifton, AZ, the sixth of eight children of Joseph Rocco ZAPPIA and Julia CASSETTO ZAPPIA and baptized Angelina Virginia, Sister grew up in Tucson, AZ, and graduated from St. Mary's School of Nursing, Tucson, in 1936. She entered the Sisters of Mercy of California and Arizona in 1938 and professed her vows in 1941, taking the name Sister Mary Roqueta. She then began a 60 year ministry in nursing and social work. For five years she was a floor supervisor at St. Mary's Hospital, San Francisco, then in 1946 she was transferred to St. Joseph's Hospital, Phoenix, where she served for 20 years as a floor nurse and supervisor. In 1954, she began the Dental Clinic to aid individuals who had no means to pay for dental care. She then spent two years at St. John's Hospital, Oxnard, CA, before returning to St. Joseph's in Phoenix in 1970. After earning a degree in social work from Arizona State University, Sister then began a new ministry as a hospital social worker for the next 12 years. For two years Sister worked in a SNF, helping patients and family members with social and medical needs. In 1983, Sister Mary Roqueta broadened her experience and outreach by joining in the ministry of the St. Vincent de Paul Society as a health and social work consultant and Spanish interpreter at the Transient Aid Center, where she remained until illness required her retirement. She had a special love for the Society since her father was one of the early members of the Society in Tucson during the Depression. He was a generous professional baker who aided the Carmelite Fathers in the Santa Cruz Parish caring for many poor of that era. Sister was very happy in her later years to be able to serve in the ministry of the Society. Sister Mary Roqueta will be remembered for her lively spirit, and passionate dedication to those without resources whom she met both in hospital clinics and the St. Vincent de Paul Society. She had a great love for her native state and her large family. "Sister Betty" will be missed by those who survive: Carmetta DAMENTO, her sister, who lives in Tucson; loving nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews and her loving community of the Sisters of Mercy. Visitation and Vigil Service at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 4715 North Central Avenue. Funeral Mass at St. Francis Xavier Church with interment following at St. Francis Cemetery. Donations, in lieu of flowers, may be made to Mercy Care Center, c/o St. Joseph's Hospital, 350 W. Thomas Road, Phoenix, AZ 85013 or St. Vincent de Paul Free Clinic, 420 W. Watkins, Phoenix, AZ. Arrangements entrusted to Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home. See Also: ASU Memoriam |
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