Zoe Elizabeth Thurston

Zoe Elizabeth Thurston, 22, of Winter Garden, Florida, passed away peacefully in the arms of the Lord, surrounded by her loving family and friends, on September 28, 2026. Zoe was born in Nashville, Tennessee to Ric and Winslow Thurston on April 30, 2004.

Zoe was raised in Franklin, Tennessee. She attended Grassland Elementary and Middle Schools before graduating from Aaron Academy in 2022.

Zoe refused to be defined by the health struggles she endured throughout her life. Instead, she will be remembered for her remarkable capacity to love and care deeply for her family and friends. She had a sass and sense of humor all her own, and those who knew and loved her will never forget either.

Zoe was passionate about music, dance, and fashion. We know she is now dancing in Heaven unencumbered by pain, in the most stylish outfits, to her own unique playlist. She was also the number one fan of both the UConn women’s basketball team and the Dallas Wings. She loved to cheer on her teams and we know she now has the best seat in the house and will never miss a game. She was also proud to be a member of the Phi Mu Sorority at High Point University.

We will be forever grateful to God and Zoe’s organ donor Savannah, for the additional nine years we received with Zoe, when she received a double lung transplant in 2017. Zoe understood what a wonderful gift this was, and as an organ donor herself, Zoe has gifted sight to two people through the donation of her corneas. It is a fitting reflection of the way Zoe lived her life: even at the end of her own, she was able to give something precious to others.

Zoe was preceded in death by her loving grandparents, Harry and Mary Winslow Ollinger, and Richard A. Thurston Sr. She is survived by her parents, Ric and Winslow Thurston of Winter Garden; her sister and best friend, Kathryn of Altamonte Springs , Florida; her brothers Ricky of Lakeland, Florida, Tim of Bel Air, Maryland, and Chris and his wife, Laura, of Winter Garden; and her grandmother, Sandra Thurston of Winter Garden.

There was no title that brought Zoe greater joy than being an aunt to her nephews, Riley, Ronan, and Lachlan, and her niece Willow. She also leaves behind many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends who loved her deeply. She will also be forever missed by her perfect puppy, Coco.

Zoe’s entrance into the gates of Heaven will be celebrated with a Mass of Christian Burial at Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Celebration, Florida on Friday, October 23, 2026 at 2pm. The Mass will also be livestreamed online at corpuschristi.church. Burial will be in a family plot in Mobile, Alabama at a future date.

In honor of Zoe, please consider a donation to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation or Donate Life. Zoe would also want others to consider registering to become organ donors.