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Louise ZoBell is shown at a park she helped create in the Dominican Republic - a park that now bears her name.

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Darrel L. Hammon

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Louise ZoBell is shown with two young girls in the Dominican Republic.

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Louise ZoBell, left, is shown with a family who received a house through her foundation.

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Louise ZoBell, at right, is shown buying supplies for people in need in the Dominican Republic.

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Louise ZoBell, left, is shown at the home of her Dominican Starfish Foundation.

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In February 2026, the world lost one of its great humanitarians: Louise Webster ZoBell from Stirling, Alberta, Canada.

The founder of the Dominican Starfish Foundation, Louise had strong ties to Utah. She passed away in her beloved Dominican Republic following a fall and complications during surgery.

To many people, Louise was a goer, an influencer, someone constantly in motion and a friend to all. Once she put her mind to doing something, she did not let up until it was done. Perhaps more importantly, Louise was an inspirational leader who constantly exuded humility and gratitude for everyone who helped her foundation.

Anyone who had been around her knew she gushed thankfulness and gratefulness for many, many things. Both her humility and boldness were ensconced in her DNA. Her wonderful enthusiasm was effusive and heartwarming simultaneously.

Her daughter Tekarra ZoBell Roach said, “Much of the last two decades of her life were spent tirelessly serving those in need in the Dominican Republic. Our mom helped coordinate the building of more than 300 homes, a distribution and community center, schools, playgrounds and health clinics. Hundreds of patients were treated on medical and dental trips, and hundreds of students received educational support and hundreds of thousands of food packs were delivered, including over 500,000 meals that were distributed to those in need during the COVID pandemic.”

One volunteer, Kim Leininger Hamilton, sells home-cooked items to generate money to help build homes for the Dominican Starfish Foundation. She and Louise possessed a special bond that propelled Kim to commit to building houses for those less fortunate.

“Louise loved to surprise anyone with the moment she knew would bring them joy,” Kim said. “She was giddy beyond description in anticipation for ‘the moment’ she could reveal her secret plans of building a new home for someone. If all people could muster up ideas to bring joy to others like she does, this world would be a completely different place.”

Everyone who knew Louise loved the delight Louise exuded in receiving another idea and making it happen. In 2024, Louise saw a need to build a women’s shelter in the Dominican Republic; she gathered together a group of friends and decided to hold a fundraising gala. They pulled it off in nine weeks, from idea to fulfillment, and raised more than $150,000. Afterward, the auctioneer said with tears in his eyes that he had never seen any group of people come together like that.

“Louise delighted in making a difference to every Dominican she could wrap her arms around — those who needed food, a job, an education, emergency medical help, a home or just love and attention,” Kim said. “She was delighted to see moving parts form together to make it all possible and never keeping one penny for herself.”

While José Vasque was serving as a volunteer for the Dominican Starfish Foundation, he lost his job and was struggling finding a new job. In stepped Louise.

“Louise wasn’t just the foundation’s representative; she was an angel sent by God to bless the lives of so many people, and she showed it every time,” José said. “She never abandoned anyone who asked for her help; one way or another, she found a way to help, and that’s what made her unique. Our family was blessed countless times, especially when I lost my job. Thanks to her and some great friends, I now have a job with the foundation that allows me to serve others just like Louise.”

José discovered that Louise would sometimes leave the Dominican Republic without any money after staying for a month or longer and spending her entire time helping others.

“Once, it was time for her to return to Canada, and she didn’t have a single penny, not even enough to buy water at the airport,” he said. “I thought to myself, ‘Wow, she gives so much to others, and she’s not worried about returning empty-handed.'”

One of the titles Louise used was that of “professional beggar.” There wasn’t a person who Louise met that didn’t learn about the Dominican Starfish Foundation within the first five minutes of the conversation. When she was staying in a villa at a Puerto Plata resort, she would introduce herself to a variety of people and invite them to accompany her to see new housing projects, help deliver food packets to those most in need or even be with her when she announced to a family that they would be receiving a new home. She knew that after one of those visits, the people would become aligned with the goals of helping Dominicans in so many ways.

Louise was instrumental in helping the International Language Program (ILP) get set up in the Dominican Republic. Christine Webb, ILP program manager at Brigham Young University, said, “Louise is the greatest of humanitarians and will be so deeply missed!”

One benefactor of Louise’s humanitarian efforts is Kate Bateman, the CEO of Youth Upliftment International, a school that serves students most at risk and in need in the Dominican Republic. When Louise saw the great student needs and the small space they were crammed into, she again sought miracles to help this group. The foundation purchased a beautiful building that serves as their school. In time, they were able to add rooms to the school as well as a playground. The foundation continues its support by connecting sponsors with individual students to help with their education, lunch and other care.

“Louise touched, changed and often saved the lives of so many. For the many students who now live with me or attend our school, I can point to each child and tell you a story of how Louise played a role in helping them. When I look at them, I see her,” Kate said. “Mariloud is just one of the many lives she helped save. When I shared this young girl’s story, a story filled with trauma and abuse, Louise didn’t respond with ‘How sad.’ Instead, she asked, ‘How do we help her?'”

Shannon Branson Fuller, one of Louise’s great friends and supporters, mentioned that Louise has earned her place in heaven because she is one of those people who wants to help everyone.

“My dear, sweet friend Louise ZoBell is the most saintly woman I have ever met,” Shannon said. “What she started many years ago has grown into an overwhelming venture. She has blessed so many lives. I had the privilege of learning at her feet how to be a better human. She is forever woven into the fabric of my heart and soul!”

Some thoughts Louise mentioned to this author many years ago told of the origins of her work: “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 and so grateful for all these people who have shared our dream and mission.”

Dr. Tamara Fackerell, a humanitarian herself in the Dominican Republic, said, “Louise has miracle ‘pixie dust,’ and she spreads it around wherever she goes. She collaborates with other people in their own genius space and makes miracles happen. Her contributions in the Dominican Republic humanitarian work through building homes, providing food packs, classes, medical supplies and much more are inspiring and motivating to all around her.”

Louise helped others see the humanity in all people. Her efforts have also helped numerous young people attend the local universities, many of whom have graduated as teachers, accountants, doctors, dentists, business majors and more.

Her vision was forthright and comprehensive. Louise once said, “As more get involved with our vision, the little grassroots 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, one defining moment after another, binding and connecting hearts, minds and souls.”

Pearl Giles, founder of PAL Humanitarian, was doing humanitarian work in the Dominican Republic when she met Louise and her husband Jack. They all decided they would work together. PAL Humanitarian became the Dominican Starfish Foundation’s arm in the United States, with its base Utah.

“The moment we met, we knew God had put us together. Our relationship was more like family, and we were instantly sisters,” Pearl said. “Louise was a powerhouse when it came to getting things done. She worked tirelessly on foundation work. Everyone knew who Louise was and what the foundation was all about because of her. Her legacy will not die.”

In 2023, Louise wrote a book titled “Defining Moments” that summarizes several defining moments for the humanitarian ambitions she had from childhood to adulthood. Her dreams came to fruition in the Dominican Republic. Every day was a defining moment for Louise. She believed there are moments that define each of us, and there are moments we choose to define ourselves and our path forward. Louise always believed it was good to remember and cherish these moments, reminisce about them and write them in our hearts to remain forever and guide us through the challenges of life. And that is exactly what Louise did in her book, which is one of her legacies.

In Louise’s eulogy, Jackie ZoBell Chan, one of her daughters, told a story about one year when Louise was focused on building a safe playground with gated walls and a security guard in Javillar, a Puerto Plata community. When she arrived to see the playground, she saw her name was welded into the gate: “Louise W. ZoBell.”

“Our mom never wanted that honor and was embarrassed, but we are so grateful for this symbol of her love and dedication to the people of the Dominican Republic,” Jackie wrote. “She had daily little miracles, and when she was in the Dominican Republic, she wrote about them in her journal. Where some people would see coincidences, she always saw the hand of God.”

Kate Bateman said, “We will never find another Louise, but we can all honor her by living a little more like her — being more kind, more open-hearted and loving people without judging them and always choosing to say yes to helping someone in need.”

For more information, go to dominicanstarfish.org. Those wishing to honor Louise’s life and legacy are invited to donate to the Dominican Starfish Foundation, American donors at fundrazr.com/LouiseZoBellmemorialUSA and Canadian donors at fundrazr.com/LouiseZoBellmemorialCAD.