Zoe was born into a loving family on August 30, 1952 in Philipsburg, Pennsylvania to Carl and Martha Close and older brother Carl (Zane) Close. As a child her interests included family outings, camping, visiting and playing with friends. She enjoyed family trips to area attractions. In 1965 one special cross country adventure was a road trip with relatives to Disneyland. At an early age she displayed a talent for music and loved to play the piano. She enjoyed going to summer church camp, later becoming a camp counselor. Excelling in academics she graduated from Bellwood-Antis High School at the top of her class in 1970 then went on to receive her Bachelor's Degree from Penn State University, State College in 1974.
In 1975 Zoe moved to California where she studied and received her Masters Degree in Philosophy from San Jose State University. There Zoe met her soulmate Mick. In 1976 they were married in a beautiful ceremony at the Chapel, Penn State Altoona campus. While living in Worcester Massachusetts Zoe, who has always had a great passion for music, accompanied a local ballet school preparing children for their performance in the Hartford Ballet Nutcracker.
Returning to California in 1984 Zoe seized the opportunity to apply her Master’s Degree in Philosophy and began teaching college part time at National University then later full time at Grossmont College, El Cajon where she became an academic and department leader earning multiple awards for excellence.
During her career she traveled broadly and had the distinction of being a Fulbright Scholar, making connections with other professionals in their fields, all while serving as a cultural ambassador around the world. Teaching students for nearly thirty years, she served as Chair of the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies for nearly twenty years. She oversaw the addition of many wonderful courses, such as Bioethics, Introduction to the New Testament, Social and Political Philosophy, Philosophy and Popular Culture, just to name a few. She also entered into the era of online teaching, encouraging her colleagues to learn this new skill, thus reaching many non-traditional students.
She coordinated with faculty at USD, UCSD and SDSU to bring fascinating colloquia and informational workshops to Grossmont College and was recognized for her efforts in these areas with a Distinguished Faculty Award.
Ms. Close is widely respected by her peers, colleagues and students for her love of life, joyful presence and energetic attitude. Zoe is survived by her loving family - husband Mick Tarel, son Michael Dane Tarel, grand daughter Evelyn and brother Carl Zane Close.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18