Zoe Ann Yost, peacefully passed away in her East Lansing home on Saturday, November 7. She is survived by two sons and two grandchildren. Charles Francis and his wife Miyoko who currently reside in England; and Putnam Alexander, his wife Shima and their two children — Mirei (18) and Kojiro (16) who live in Japan. Zoe is survived by her sister, Pamela Bernstein.
Zoe was the perfect aunt to Pam’s children and their children. Baptisms, graduations, weddings, family vacations – Zoe traveled internationally to be part of it all. She kept the peace, took part in the laughs, enjoyed the gossip and paid attention to the children when no one else would. With her stylish outfits and perfectly coiffed hair, she was always poised and patient while teaching little ones to play cards and keep score while learning math.
Zoe was born in 1935 in Grosse Pointe and lived her entire life as a Michigander. Zoe graduated from Michigan State and married Charles Francis, her true love. Charles and Zoe had an absolutely wonderful marriage until he peacefully passed in their home December 12, 2005. Zoe taught in the Marble School and spent several years as the East Lansing district’s Elementary Math Coordinator. Her love of travel took her and Charles to Taipei where she taught as an exchange teacher representing ELPS. After retirement from teaching Zoe was often found globetrotting around the world, she loved learning the history, customs, languages and food of different cultures. Zoe was so passionate about being a world traveler that she could quickly name the countries she had not visited. Anything Zoe did, she did well and looked good doing it! She had a competitive spirit so when both sons became Executive Chefs, Zoe became a gourmet cook as she did not want to be outdone! Zoe was also an accomplished bridge player and was within a couple of points of being a Life Master. Exercise was important to Zoe so she accomplished and became a yoga instructor and also participated in water aerobic classes at Hannah Center. She was an excellent seamstress and was skilled in knitting, crochet, needle point and crewel. Zoe was a member of the HELO Club and participated in many group offerings but her favorite were the many book clubs as she was an avid reader. She attended services at St John’s Catholic Church in East Lansing.
For Zoe’s family she was a wonderful and incredible wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and great- aunt. She will be remembered as an inspiration and role model.
Donations in honor will be welcome at: Bridge Center of Greater Lansing, 325 N. Clippers, Suite B, Lansing, Mi 48912
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