Iris Zahara

Dr. Iris Zahara, née Van Zanten, 90 years, passed away June 3, 2022. Iris was a longtime resident of Flossmoor, beloved wife of Paul for 65 years, cherished mother of Rebecca Shafir ( Samson), Susan Troppoli (Jude), Jamie Zahara ( Renee), Jodie Brugler ( Charlie) Kathy Trojan ( Keith), loving grandmother to Taylor, Haley, Marlee, Hunter, Skye and Aviana also a beloved aunt to her niece and nephews, a dear friend and piano teacher, known as "The Professor" to so many.

Iris, born November 6, 1931, grew up in Homewood, Illinois with her parents Dorothy and John VanZanten, brother Norman and sister Gloria. A musical prodigy, Iris began playing recitals at a young age. She attended Thornton High School graduating in three years at the top of her class. Thereafter, Iris regularly attended the prestigious Interlochen music school and won several piano competitions.

Her lifelong relationship with Paul began in college at Indiana University where Iris was a cello and piano major and a member of the Pi Beta Phi sorority. She received her Master's degree from Indiana University and her Doctorate degree from Northwestern University in piano performance and composition. Thereafter, Iris studied piano and pedagogy under the tutelage of Leonard Bernstein and Rosina Lhevinne.

Her prolific musical talents extended to study organ and choral music under the direction of the renowned Leo Sowerby at St. James Church in Chicago. From there she embraced choral directorship and took the position of Director of Music and Liturgy at Infant of Prague (IJP) parish in Flossmoor in 1962 to 2018. A devoted servant to the IJP parish, she worked tirelessly to build the music and liturgy program to include several choirs and fund-raising activities including "Curtain Call."

She toured Europe as a organ soloist and was invited to play at St. Peter's in Rome, Notre Dame in Paris, France and in several other famous European cathedrals. Iris's musical excellence gained even greater notoriety when she brought her IJP choir in 1998 on a European tour where they performed in Rome, Barcelona and Lourdes.

In her private piano studio in Flossmoor, over the course of 60 years, she taught hundreds of students, many excelling to win acclaimed piano competitions. For over 25 years Iris was a consultant to the Chicago Heights Symphony Orchestra.

Iris's love of musical theater led her to the Chicago Heights Drama Group where she contributed her considerable talents to directing several musicals that included many members of her IJP choir.

Iris will be very dearly missed by her family, friends, students, clergy and members of her choirs.

Resting at the Tews-Ryan Funeral Home, 18230 S. Dixie Highway, Homewood on Wednesday June 8 from 3 – 7pm. Funeral Thursday with 9:45 am prayers at the Funeral Home to Infant Jesus of Prague Church in Flossmoor, Mass 10:30am. Private interment. For additional information go to tews-ryanfh.com or call 708-798-5300.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra, 377 Artist's Way, Park Forest, Illinois 60466 (ipomusic.org/support) in the name of Dr. Iris Zahara will be greatly appreciated.