Zoe Louise Breiner, 61 years young, completed her earthly journey on Sunday, September 27, 2015, surrounded by her loving family. That night, there was a beautiful red moon, Zoe’s favorite color. Zoe faced two years of a very rare form of cancer. Throughout this challenge, she taught us all the true meaning of dignity, strength and grace. Her fabulous sense of humor was intact until the end.
Under a Blue Moon, Zoe was born July 30, 1954 the daughter of Arthur and Geraldine (Perras) Breiner. Her twin sister, Clara Irene, predeceased her on that same day, a mere 45 minutes after her birth. Zoe grew up in Burlington surrounded by her siblings, cousins, aunts and uncles. The Breiner house was a busy place, but very full of love. In 1977 Zoe met her soul mate, Brian Jones. They were married on May 8, 1982 and spent every day since taking care of each other. Zoe and Brian made their first home on St. Louis Street in Burlington and ultimately built their dream home in Williston where they have resided since 1987.
Zoe attended Cathedral Grade School and Christ the King School. She graduated with honors from Rice Memorial High School in 1972, receiving awards in bookkeeping and shorthand. Zoe went on to graduate Summa Cum Laude from Champlain College in 1974. She was also named to Who’s Who in American Junior Colleges. Following graduation, Zoe worked for the University of Vermont in the purchasing department. She went on to work for Pizzagalli Construction Company, as secretary to the treasurer and estimating department. Zoe then embarked on a 31-year career with IBM. During that time she attended Burlington College, earning a BA in Communication and Computer Applications in 1989. She retired from the communications department at IBM in 2012. Not one to sit still for long, Zoe went to work as the office administrator for Home Instead Senior Care, Inc. She was drawn to Home Instead after the wonderful care they provided her mother during her later years. Zoe often said that her years with Home Instead were the most rewarding of her life. She loved the idea that she was able to help others during their time of need. Due to her illness, Zoe made the difficult decision to retire in 2014.
During her years living in Burlington’s old north end, Zoe became concerned about the environmental issues posed by the impending construction of the McNeil Generating Plant. She decided to run for the position of ward 2 alderman for the City of Burlington. Her bid was successful and she served 4 years on the City Council under then Mayor Bernie Sanders.
Zoe was a lifelong St. Louis Cardinals fan. During her final days, she often woke Brian by playing Cardinals highlights on her phone in the middle of the night. She also enjoyed dollhouse miniatures and had a vast collection of pieces made by artists around the world as well as many she created herself. Zoe’s love of everything little and her attention to the smallest of details made this the perfect hobby for her. Zoe enjoyed yoga, traveling, and supporting local artists at craft fairs. She also loved long motorcycle rides with Brian. Zoe was a very caring and selfless person. She had a way of making everyone feel like a priority. She was always available for an aging relative, a busy niece, or even a stranger with the same type of cancer as hers. To her family, Zoe was lovingly known as “The Commander” because of her remarkable ability to plan, organize and delegate. We are not sure what we will do without her.
Zoe is survived by her loving husband, Brian Jones, of Williston, her sister Susan and Neil Abair, brothers Thomas and Carolyn Breiner, Charles and Nancy Breiner, Robert and Joan Perras, and sister Judy and John Strickland. She is also survived by sisters-in-law Cyndi Jones and Steve Birnbaum, Marsha Jones and Gary Scardina , Peg and Garry Clark, Beth and Skeet Wage, and Theresa and Mario Lizzio. She will also be missed by many nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles and friends. Zoe was predeceased by her parents, Art and Gerry Breiner, her in-laws, Clair and Stan Jones, her godmother, Clara “Bunny” Perras, a sister-in-law, Virginia Breiner, a niece, Julie Bryden and many dear aunts, uncles and cousins. Zoe will be happily reunited with these loved ones, as well as her many feathered friends and her precious dog Rosie on the other side.
Throughout her illness, Zoe received top notch treatment both at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center and at the University of Vermont Medical Center. The family would like to thank Dr. Carl Nelson and Dr. Claire Verschraegen as well as the fabulous nursing staff at both hospitals for their exceptional care. There will be no calling hours. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 10, 2015 at All Souls Interfaith Gathering, 291 Bostwick Road Shelburne, Vt. The family will receive visitors at 9:30 a.m. The service will begin at 10:30. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The University of Vermont Cancer Center, Given S100, 89 Beaumont Avenue, Burlington, VT 05405-1742. The family invites you to share your memories and condolences by visiting www.awrfh.com.
To share a memory or send a condolence gift, please visit the Official Obituary of Zoe Louise Breiner hosted by A W Rich Funeral Home.