In memoriam, Zoe Lu
October 31, 2023
It is with heavy hearts that the Sociology Department announces that long time staff member, Zoe Lu, passed away on Sunday, October 15, 2023.
Zoe made a difference as soon as she arrived as the Graduate Program Secretary in 2006. From helping new students find their way around the maze-like Cornett building, to supporting graduate students adjust to becoming Teaching Assistants or writing their thesis or dissertation, she became the person we all went to when we needed help, a shoulder, or a laugh. In 2016, Zoe became Assistant to the Chair, a position that reinforced her pivotal role in the daily functioning of the department. Through all her years of service, she worked tirelessly and gracefully, and was always there when we needed her.
Zoe volunteered every year at commencement to share in our students’ achievements and celebrate their success. Everyone who met Zoe was touched by her kindness, amazed by her memory, and perhaps most of all, will remember the sound of her wonderful laugh. Zoe was the heart and soul of our department; she was the glue that held us together. She will be missed but never forgotten.
We are deeply saddened that Zoe was taken so quickly by a reoccurrence of an extremely aggressive form of cancer called triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). The family has disclosed the specific type of cancer in the hopes of raising awareness for others. Our thoughts and sincerest condolences go to her husband, Lawrence, and their children, Keira and Mackenzie.
A service will be held November 24 at 2pm at Sequoia Centre at McCall Gardens and will be live streamed: