Zoe is survived by; son Frank (Janet) Kokenakes; and son Paul Kokenakes; grandson Adam (Courtney) Kokenakes, grandson Charles (Gabrielle) Kokenakes, grandson Joseph Kokenakes, grandson Theodore (Staci) Kokenakes and grandson Henry (Kellie) Kokenakes.
She was preceded in death by her husband Peter Kokenakes; as well as her father John Gillespie and mother Cleopatra Gillespie.
Zoe was born January 19, 1924 to John and Cleopatra Gillespie in Washington DC. Zoe went on to achieve her Bachelor or Arts, magna cum laude, from Eastern Michigan University. She used her degree to become a middle school English teacher within the Livonia Public School district.
Her teaching skills lead her to travel abroad to China to teach English to PhD candidates at Szechuan University. In addition to teaching, Zoe also had a knack for residential rehabilitation, using her keen eye to invest in fixer-upper homes and restore them to their former beauty. An adventurous spirit, she also traveled for pleasure in her spare time and visited areas of Asia, Europe, and Central America.
She was a beloved member of her community and will be missed by the following organizations that she took part in: the White Shrine Organization, the Eastern Star Organization, the American Association of University Women, and the Livonia Public Schools Teachers Association.
Zoe also lead a prayerful life as a member of the Greek Orthodox faith. She was deeply involved in Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church and served the community in the following ways: as a member of the Parrish Council's Board of Directors, as a member of the Philoptochos Society Women's Group, as a Sunday school teacher, an editor of the church newsletter, as a Greek language teacher, and as a volunteer for the annual Greek Festival.
Lastly, Zoe was a devoted wife and mother. She loved her family tremendously and valued the wonderful times they spent together. She was a bright spirit with a kind heart and she will be missed by everyone who was lucky enough to have known her.
A visitation for Zoe will be held Thursday, December 13, 2018 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM, with a Trisagion service at 7:00 PM, at Harry J Will Funeral Home, 37000 Six Mile Rd, Livonia, MI 48152. A funeral liturgy in Zoe's honor will occur Friday, December 14, 2018 in state at 9:30 AM with services beginning at 10:30 AM, at Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 36375 Joy Rd, Westland, MI 48185.
Contributions in Zoe's memory may be made to Philoptochos Society of Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, http://www.stcons.org/philoptochos; and The American Association of University Women, https://www.aauw.org/.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared in the Guest Book.
