Zoë Marion Urbanek

She graduated from Kemper Hall in Kenosha in 1944, continuing on to Mount Holyoke College, Massachusetts, where she received her B.A. in French in 1948. She went on to study for a year in France under a fellowship at the University of Besançon, and completed her M.A. at Northwestern University, Chicago, after which she accepted a teaching position in Dallas at Hockaday in 1951, where she was Chair of the French Department. She took a position as Asst. Prof. of French at Kansas State but returned to Dallas where she met Michael Ignatius Urbanek, from the original Old Warsaw restaurant. They married in August of 1956, beginning a wonderful life together. In September 1956, Zoë commenced her 48 year teaching career at Southern Methodist University, joining the Foreign Language Dept. as Asst. Prof. of French. The University was a major part of her life, where she also enjoyed many great friendships with colleagues and students. She served on the Faculty Senate, the Women's Faculty Caucus and Commission, as well as being an instrumental part of the SMU Faculty Club, where she was President for several years. She was also involved with the SMU in Paris program, and spent much time in France teaching & researching, which she loved. She was well traveled, especially enjoying her work leaves in France, with other trips throughout Europe where she maintained a network of colleagues and friends. She was an active member of the Modern Language Association and American Literary Translator's Association. After her retirement from SMU in 2004, she continued working on a manuscript, translating the letters of the French animalière painter Rosa Bonheur. She always promoted education and the arts, and was a member of the Meadows Museum from it's beginning, as well as the DMA. Zoë and her husband had a deep appreciation of music and were longtime patrons of the Dallas Opera & Symphony Orchestra. She was also a member of the HPDAR, where she served as a regent. Another important part of her life, Zoë was a devoted member of St. Matthew's Cathedral for over 65 years. A fun past time in her life was many years sailing with her husband and daughter and many good friends at White Rock Lake, as members of the Corinthian Club.

Zoë is predeceased by her parents, Marion Zoë Parker Goss & Edwin Victor Goss, her brothers Thomas Parker Goss & Edwin Victor Goss, and her husband of 52 years, Michael Ignatius Urbanek, and is survived by her daughter, Zoë Urbanek Johnson.

Visitation will be held at Sparkman Hillcrest on June 25th, from 5 - 7 p.m. A Memorial service will be held on June 26th at 10:30 a.m. at St. Matthews Cathedral, 5100 Ross Ave. Graveside burial will follow the service, after which family friends are invited to a reception at the home. Donations may be made in her name to St. Matthew's Cathedral & SMU.