Cheryl S. Zappa, 63, of Ridgway died Sunday evening at the Elk Haven Nursing Home.

Born May 28, 1944, in Petrolia, she was the daughter of Martha Miller Sweeney and the late Ralph Sweeny.

She graduated from Slippery Rock University with a bachelor's degree in education, majoring in physical education and health. She also earned a master's degree in guidance from Indiana (Pa.) University.

In 1966, she moved to Ridgway to teach. She taught physical education in Ridgway for five years and in Charlottesville, Va., for one year. She also coached basketball and track in Ridgway and Charlottesville. During her 32-year teaching career, she was a guidance counselor for the Ridgway School District for 26 years.

Mrs. Zappa was a member of the Presbyterian Church, the Ridgway Area Teachers Association and the Pennsylvania State Education Association.

She was a co-founder of CAPSEA, Citizens Against Physical, Sexual, and Emotional Abuse.

Surviving are her husband, Benjamin Zappa, whom she married July 20, 1968; her mother of Petrolia; two sisters, Kathleen Bowser of Petrolia and Patricia Craig (Edward) of Chicora; a brother, Thomas Sweeney of Brackenridge; and nieces and nephews: Debra Gamble, her husband, John, and daughter Tiffany; Bette Landgraf and her son and daughter, Bradley and Ashlyn Landgraf; Tedd Sweeney and daughter and son, Kayla and James Paul Sweeney; Patrick Sweeny; Natalie, Matthew and Jarod Craig; Carri Karenbauer (Terry) and her son, Alex Karenbauer; and Joel and Dustin Bowser.

<B>ZAPPA</B> — Friends of Cheryl S. Zappa, who died Sunday, July 22, 2007, will be received from 1 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the <B>MEEHAN-SHILK FUNERAL HOME</B>, 130 Center St., Ridgway. Funeral and committal services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at the First Presbyterian Church, 119 Center St., Ridgway, with the Rev. Mark Cantaral officiating. Burial will be at the Parklawn Memorial Gardens, Ridgway.A memorial service also will be held at 11:30 a.m. Saturday at the Petrolia Presbyterian Church, 107 S. Argyle St., Petrolia.Memorial donations may be made to CAPSEA Inc., P.O. Box 464 Ridgway, PA 15853.