Lois was born February 28, 1947 to Richard and Anne Yappel and raised on a farm in West Richfield, OH near Cleveland where she developed a great love of nature and animals. Her mother loved opera so Lois grew to love music and began singing lessons at an early age.
After high school Lois attended vocational school to learn keypunching. At her first job Lois met Don, her husband of 49 years. They married in 1966 and moved to the San Francisco Bay area where she continued her voice training with the former director of the Rome Opera and performed Arias and Broadway show tunes at an Italian restaurant. Lois was offered the opportunity to tour and perform throughout Europe but instead decided to devote herself to raising a family and relocated back home to the Cleveland, OH area. While raising a family, Lois continued to enjoy opportunities to sing and perform in community theaters. Lois also sang in choruses, has been a church Song Leader and Cantor, and soloist for church services, weddings, and other events. Lois attended Alexander’s Floral Design School and worked part-time for many years as a floral designer.
Since moving to Goodyear in 1996, Lois became an active performer in the PebbleCreek community. Being one of the originators of Showtime Productions of PebbleCreek, Lois performed in many of Showtime’s musical productions. Lois also has been a member and soloist in the PebbleCreek Singers Chorus and PebbleCreek Community Church choir. Also, since coming to PebbleCreek, Lois performed throughout the valley as a member of the Desert Xpress Trio and later with her partner as the Vocal Xpress,
Lois is survived by her husband Don, daughter Janelle Hill, son Daniel, grandson Kingston Hill, and brother Richard Yappel, three dogs and two cats.
Visitation will be at 5:00 pm with a Rosary at 6:00 pm, Tuesday, October 20, 2015 at Thompson Funeral Chapel, 926 S. Litchfield Road, Goodyear, AZ. A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 am, Wednesday, October 21, 2015 at St Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 13720 W Thomas Rd, Avondale, AZ 85392.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.11.3