Zoe Ann Lundgren Summers

Zoe Ann was born on July 18, 1945 to John and Mabel Spillman Lundgren. She was born in St. Luke’s Hospital in Denver, Colorado. Coincidentally, Jeff was born in the same hospital and delivered by the same doctor, Dr. Evans. She died on August 23, 2025. Zoe is survived by her sister Pamela K. Lundgren (William L. Ruby) and her husband Jeffery Frank Summers. While growing up, Zoe Ann was active in numerous school activities and clubs including the band where she played the flute. Upon graduation from Julesburg High School she attended Greeley University of northern Colorado and graduated with a teaching degree. She taught preschool and kindergarten in Colorado. Zoe Ann came to Santa Barbara 1977. Zoe had a passion for politics, she was co-chairman for the election campaign for S. I. Hayakawa, a California Senator till 1983. She was also the President of the Santa Barbara Symphony until 1988. Her passion for politics never ended and she let everyone know it. An avid snow skier, she joined the Santa Barbara Ski club in 1977. On her first ski trip with them, she met Jeff, who became her lifelong friend and husband. They were married December 22, 1979. Soon after their marriage, Zoe was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer. Through intensive treatment and hard work on her part, Zoe beat the cancer and went on to live another 40+ years. Zoe and Jeff had a passion for snow skiing, music, golf and traveling. There was seldom a weekend that the two of them were not going somewhere to enjoy their passions. Zoe ran the ski trips for the Ski Club for many years and was able to take the members (and Jeff) to exotic ski resorts around the world. The ski trips were where Zoe and Jeff met most of their lifelong friends. Zoe and Jeff went around the world golfing, carrying their clubs everywhere they went. Zoe Ann got her Masters in Education at UCSB in 1980, and started teaching at the Children’s Center on the Santa Barbara high school campus. The Children’s Center later moved to the Franklin School where she taught until her retirement in 2014. She had over 700 students and changed many lives for the better. Her influence on these children lives on through them and through their children. There was seldom a time when she went out that a past student would not run up to her and say that she was the biggest influence on his or her life. She was recognized as one of the nation’s top teachers by President Barack Obama and many others. She will be sorely missed by Jeff and the friends and family who loved her.

Zoe Ann Lundgren Summers

July 18, 1945 - August 23, 2025