Zoanne Pappas Sass

The family of Zoanne Pappas Sass is saddened to announce that she passed away unexpectedly in Columbus, Ohio on Wednesday, August 1, 2018 due to a sudden illness.

Zo was born on November 21, 1953 in Mason City, Iowa, the only daughter of Gus Pappas and Barbara Williams Pappas. She and her three brothers grew up in nearby Garner, and moved to Madison, Wisconsin when Zo started high school. Zo went on to study at both the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the Madison Area Technical College, and spent much of her adult life working in the childcare field.

Anyone who had the good fortune to meet Zo walked away with a lighter heart. She had the rare ability to immediately establish a warm and friendly bond with anyone she met. Her beloved family and friends benefited most from her positive spirit, but she also shared it generously with the children she cared for, her coworkers at the Hilliard City School District and Enchanted Care Learning Center, and the medical staff who supported her during this past year living with cancer.

Zo was immensely proud to have raised two children who became her treasured friends as adults. Her “Grandma” status brought her lots of joy; she created a unique and fun-filled relationship with each of her grandchildren. Right up until the abrupt and overwhelming sickness that took her life, she was actively engaged with them in the pool, on hikes and cheering at their sports, dance and music events.

Zo is survived by many who will miss her greatly, including her son Zachariah and his wife Chastity, and their children Zach, Cayden, Branson and Harley, and her daughter Tonía and her children Trevor and Jocelyn. She is also survived by her father Gus Pappas, and brothers Bill (Diane) Pappas (children Chad, Reid and Tressa); Jim Pappas; Tom (Janet) Pappas (children Matt and Morgan, and Tom’s daughter Kristina), and Zach and Tonía’s father Jeff Sass. Throughout her life Zo felt the love of her wide circle of family and friends. Her mother Barbara and nephew Nick Pappas preceded her in death.

The family would like to invite Zo’s friends and colleagues to join them in a celebration of her life on Saturday, August 18 at the Tidd Funeral Home, 5265 Norwich Street in Hilliard. Visitation will be from noon to 1:00pm, with a memorial service by Rev. Kevin Lutz at 1:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to her family for her grandchildren’s college educations would have meant a lot to Zo. These can be directed to Tonía Sass Klein at Chase Bank (4810 Sawmill Road, Columbus OH 43235).

Zo loved life and would want us to find humor whenever and wherever possible, savor the outdoors and treat each other with kindness.