Description

With a view of her beloved rose garden, Zoe Orth, 91, passed away at her Sonoma home after a short illness on April 23, 2020. Zoe was born on September 13,1928 in San Francisco, Joyce Helen Simotas and at 17 her father legally changed her name to Zoe to carry on her Greek heritage. She was predeceased by her parents John and Josephine Limneos Simotas and her only brother Jerry Simotas. A lifelong resident of the San Francisco Bay area, she moved to Sonoma in 2001. 

Creative and curious by nature, Zoe was an active artist and volunteer in the Sonoma community. She taught oil painting at the Sonoma Community Center and in her studio. She showed her paintings with the Valley of the Moon Art Association and at local wineries. Her art career spanned 70 years including being a founding member of the San Francisco Artist’s Guild and created Zoe’s Art Productions, producing fine art and craft fairs around the Bay Area for 20 years. Zoe loved participating in Vintage House Singers, gardening, swimming, knitting, and mystery book clubs. Most of all she loved nature and gardening, reflected in her many impressionist paintings of flowers, landscapes, and romantic outdoor settings. 

Zoe married Gene Frasu in 1947 and they raised three children in Daly City, Michael Frasu (Julia), Carola Davis (Mark), and Marty Frasu. She will be remembered by them and two granddaughters, Jessica DeRooy Lazar (Sean) and Emily Frasu and two great-grandchildren, Preston and Nova DeRooy. In 1975, Zoe married Fred Orth and moved to San Bruno. She travelled the world with Fred visiting famous gardens and sites. They inspired many of her paintings. Fred Orth passed away in 1993. Zoe cherished her kind neighbors when she settled in Sonoma with her dog, Benji and cat Greystone in 2001. Zoe loved animals and once had a pet river otter. She adopted Opie, a ginger cat from Pets Lifeline, one of her favorite causes. She loved walking the local trails and parks and living life to the fullest with her friends and family.