Losing Our Laughter

Dan Detter taught his daughter Zoe the value of laughter and of play time.

Zoe Detter is 20 studying education and entrepreneurship at Appalachian State University. Her mother, Jan, is an artist in Winston-Salem, teaches entrepreneurship at Wake Forest University and is a community activist.

But in 1966, at a campground in Catawba County, then 13-year-old Jan Martin first saw Dan Detter, who was 15. And she told herself he was the one. Less than ten years later, they married. The Detter's had a pretty charmed life. Dan represented small toy companies, manufacturers and designers in the Southeast. Jan was an artist and teacher. Things got even better with the birth of their only child, Zoe. Then the story changed. Dan was diagnosed with skin cancer and in 2005, he died. Zoe was 12.
 

In this segment of StoryLine, she reveals to her mother an intimate moment she had with her father, one Zoe has never shared until now.

StoryLine gives voice to everyday people throughout our community as they share the experiences that shape their lives. It is a project of the ECHO Network, dedicated to building trusting relationships in our community.