Aileen Zanco

May 26, 1939 — Jul 7, 2026

Petaluma, California

Aileen Zanco, age 87, passed away peacefully on July 7, 2026.

She is survived by her devoted husband of 54 years, Frank Zanco; her sons, Frank Jr. and Charles; her daughter, Angela; her beloved granddaughter, Abby; her brother’s sons, Richard and Steven; and many loving nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Dorothy Chisholm, and her brother, Douglas Chisholm.

Born in Dundee, Scotland, on May 26, 1939, Aileen spent her childhood in the nearby village of Wormit. As a girl, she loved rowing on the River Tay, where she developed an appreciation for the beauty of her Scottish homeland that stayed with her throughout her life.

As a young woman, she moved to London, where she worked as a secretary for the company now known as Xerox. While living with an Indian family there, Aileen discovered a passion for cooking. She embraced their culture and cuisine, developing skills and recipes that she would lovingly share with family and friends for the rest of her life.

In her late twenties, Aileen embarked on a new adventure by immigrating to Sydney, Australia, where she worked for Travelodge. There, a blind date introduced her to Frank, the love of her life. They married a few years later and traveled to San Francisco on their honeymoon before making their home in Terra Linda, where they began raising their family. Later, they settled in Petaluma, where they enjoyed their retirement together.

Aileen will be remembered for her warm and generous hospitality, her wonderful sense of humor, and the Scottish sayings that always brought a smile to those around her. She had a gift for making everyone feel welcome, whether through a home-cooked meal, a shared laugh, or a kind word. She cared not only for her own family, but for her children’s friends as well, welcoming them into her home and treating them as if they were her own. Her love for family, friends, and life’s simple pleasures will remain a lasting legacy to all who knew and loved her.

Service will be held on Friday, July 31, 2026 at 11am St. James Catholic Church on Sonoma Mountain Parkway, Petaluma CA.

To send flowers or plant a memorial tree in memory, please visit our flower store.

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Service Schedule

Upcoming Services

Funeral Service

Friday, July 31, 2026

Starts at 11:00 am (Pacific time)

St. James Catholic Church

125 Sonoma Mountain Parkway, Petaluma, CA 94954

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