Martha Louise Trapani

Martha Louise Trapani, 74, of Rockford passed away on Thursday, June 29, 2017. She was born on February 1, 1943 in Carbondale, IL, the daughter of Earl Tippy and Polly Ann Rogers. She spent her youth in both Central Illinois and Phoenix, AZ. She graduated from Sterling High School in 1960. After graduating from Cormer and Durand Beauty School, she moved to Rockford. She began her career as a hairdresser at the Rural Oaks Hair Salon. She married Joseph F. Trapani on August 21, 1965. After starting her family, she moved her practice into her own home. She was a talented, self employed hairdresser that served the community for 40 years. She was a member of St. James Catholic Church of Rockford and was involved in various groups including the Verdi Club and the Sicilian Women’s Club. She loved holidays, parades, travelling, American history, baking cakes, and everything chocolate. She embraced the Italian traditions of her husband’s family. Her favorite time of year was preparing for and celebrating Christmas with her family. She was generous and kind...and so much fun to be around. She was an eternal optimist and always full of joy. Above all, she was a loving and dedicated wife, mother, and grandmother.
She is survived by her husband of nearly 52 years, Joseph; her children, Cathy (Nick) Lazzaro of Algonquin, Lisa (Kevin) Frost of Rockford, and Joseph (Nicole) Trapani of Marion, IA; her grandchildren, Maddie and Libbie Frost, Mary, Ellie and Alli Lazzaro, and Nicholas Trapani; and her brother, Roger Tippy of Bellingham, WA, and sister-in-law Marilyn (Tim) Monroe of Rockford.She is predeceased by her parents.
A very special thank you to all the staff at Lincolnshire Place Memory Care Residence for all of their compassion and dedication.
A funeral mass will be held on Friday, July 7, 2017 at St. James Catholic Church of Rockford at 10:00 a.m. A visitation will be held on Thursday, July 6, from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, Mulford Chapel. Burial Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Alzheimer’s Association appreciated.