Obituary of Mercedes I. Zapata
Mercedes I. Zapata
Mercedes I. Zapata, passed away peacefully at the age of 79, on Saturday, September 19, 2020, at St. Joseph Medical Center, surrounded by the love of her family. She was born on November 15, 1940, the daughter of the late Angel Eduardo and Anna Polonia (Cabreja) Zapata. Born and raised in the Dominican Republic, Mercedes relocated to the United States in 1969, where she married and raised her family.
A spiritual woman who led by example, Mercedes was an active parishioner of the Christ Vine Ministries Church. She had an eye for fashion and was a skilled seamstress. She worked for several years designing with Billy Falcon, the Designer, in Chicago and was also the former Owner/Operator of “The New Taylor Shop” located in Harlem Irving Plaza in Chicago. Her talent in her profession led her to work in wardrobe and with costumes for the TV show “The Untouchables”.
When she wasn’t hard at work, Mercedes enjoyed traveling the globe. Her travels took her all over the world, including destinations such as Paris, France, the Italian cities of Venice and Rome, Egypt, and her most memorable trip, the Holy Land of Jerusalem. Above anything else, however, she loved the time she spent with her family. Mercedes will be remembered fondly for her strength, perseverance, grace, and for her impeccable taste in fashion.
Mercedes is survived by her son, Neil Martinez; her only granddaughter, Charlize Martinez; and her siblings, Lucia Jacqueline (Netor) Felix, Victor Zapata, Eduardo Antonio Zapata, Elsa Zapata, Ana Mirtha Zapata, and Angel Baltazar Zapata. Numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins also survive.
She is preceded by her son Aldryn Martinez; her parents; her siblings, Rhadamés Zapata, Josefina Zapata, and Dolce Milagros Zapata; and two nephews, Angel Zapata and Nester Felix.
Visitation for Mercedes I. Zapata will be held on Thursday, September 24, 2020, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black Rd. (at Essington Rd.), Joliet, IL. In accordance with the Illinois guidelines, a 50 person capacity will be followed. Face masks are required and social distancing will be observed.
The family has requested to live stream the Funeral Services on Friday, September 25, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. Please click on this link (https://youtu.be/nenadFTkie0) and follow the instructions to show your support for them at a time when you cannot be physically present, but your thoughts, prayers and connection are.
Interment will be held privately by the family at Woodlawn Memorial Park II.
For more information, please call 815-741-5500 or visit her Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com
