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| Louise at the 2024 Gala |
With a heavy heart, I pay tribute to my eternal friend and colleague, Louise ZoBell who passed away following hip surgery in her beloved Dominican Republic!
I met Louise over the phone in 2012 when Joanne and I were serving as Welfare Specialists in the Caribbean Area Welfare Office for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She had a request to help one of her friends to obtain a prosthetic leg, which happened through the Church's humanitarian program. That was the beginning a wonderful friendship over the past 14 years.
I met Louise over the phone in 2012 when Joanne and I were serving as Welfare Specialists in the Caribbean Area Welfare Office for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She had a request to help one of her friends to obtain a prosthetic leg, which happened through the Church's humanitarian program. That was the beginning a wonderful friendship over the past 14 years.
I discovered quickly that Louise is a goer, an influencer, someone constantly in motion, and a friend to all! Once she puts her mind to something, she does not let up until it is done. Perhaps, more importantly, Louise is an inspirational leader who constantly exudes humility and gratitude for everyone who has helped the Dominican Starfish Foundation.
Anyone who has been around her knows that she gushes thankfulness and gratefulness for many, many things. Both her humility and boldness are in her DNA. Her wonderful boldness was effusive and heartwarming simultaneously.
People flocked to her, and she flocked to people. It seemed like a melodic and harmonious dance all the time with her and her desire to make the Dominican Starfish Foundation an organization encompassing and inclusive. We all had to hustle to even keep up with her.
Anyone who has been around her knows that she gushes thankfulness and gratefulness for many, many things. Both her humility and boldness are in her DNA. Her wonderful boldness was effusive and heartwarming simultaneously.
People flocked to her, and she flocked to people. It seemed like a melodic and harmonious dance all the time with her and her desire to make the Dominican Starfish Foundation an organization encompassing and inclusive. We all had to hustle to even keep up with her.
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| Amarilis and Louise |
I know that thousands and thousands of people from all over the world, particularly her Dominican friends who she loved dearly and served effortlessly, are mourning her death here on earth, and thousands and thousands of others are clapping for joy because of her arrival on the other side.
Her vision was forthright and comprehensive! She once said: “As more get involved with our vision, the little grass-roots foundation we started from our home in Stirling, Alberta, Canada, will make an amazing difference, one family at a time, one community at a time, and more.”
And that’s exactly what she did: made a difference, one individual, one family, and one community at a time, binding and connecting hearts, minds, and souls.
As she said to me many years ago, ““I am thankful to be the hands of the Lord in this project….I am thankful that I have the drive to continue. I am so thankful for those who have donated…. I am so grateful for all these people who have shared our dream and mission.”
Louise, we are eternally grateful to you for allowing us to participate in some way to help you with your dream and mission.
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| Louise, Joanne, and Darrel at the Gala |
May we all continue to remember Louise’s goodness, kindness, love, compassion, sweetness, and hundreds of other descriptors of a woman destined for eternity with her Heavenly Father and Mother.
We love you, Louise!
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| Sunrise in Puerto Plata |
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