Mary Ellen Voshell

1952 - 2024

Boise, Idaho - Mary Ellen was born September 10, 1952, to Daniel Carl Johnson and Carmelyn McMahon Johnson in Boise, Idaho. She passed away on Wednesday, April 3, 2024, due to heart disease and complications attributed to radiation treatment she received over 40 years ago for Hodgkin's Lymphoma.

Mary Ellen enjoyed a carefree childhood as the oldest of four Johnson children, who spent their free time riding bikes and playing games outdoors with each other and with neighborhood friends. She attended St. Mary's Catholic School and Bishop Kelly High School, where she was valedictorian of the class of 1970.

Mary Ellen graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Idaho in 1974, with a Bachelor of Science in Education and double majors in Spanish and English Journalism. She was an active member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority and was editor of the chapter newsletter which won first place in a national collegiate competition. She was selected by U of I faculty to attend the national Sigma Delta Chi professional journalism convention in Washington D.C. and spent two summers as intern reporter at the Idaho Statesman. Prior to graduation, she studied at the University of Valencia, Spain.

Mary Ellen and her husband, Stan Voshell, met at the National Interagency Fire Center, where he was a wildland firefighter, and she was a summer tour guide, clerk-typist, and Spanish translator. They married in 1976 and had two children, Jennifer in 1979 and Alex in 1985. They supported their children in extracurricular activities to include chaperoning choir trips, timekeeping at swim meets, and supporting their son at ski races. In addition, Mary Ellen instilled the value of being of service to others. As a family, the Voshells purchased gifts for underprivileged families during the holiday season. Mary Ellen also taught her children to love and appreciate other cultures, music, and art.

Teaching Spanish was Mary Ellen's passion and the career she pursued after college. She taught at various Treasure Valley schools beginning in 1974, and she completed her Master of Arts in Teaching at the University of Idaho in 1979. The final 25 years of her 32-year career in teaching were spent at Capital High School, where she especially enjoyed teaching advanced levels of Spanish and serving as the Foreign Language Department Chair. Among lifelong learning opportunities, Mary Ellen received a Fulbright Teacher Grant for study at a Quito, Ecuador University in summer 1993, after which she was awarded an Idaho Humanities Counsel grant and an Idaho Arts Commission grant. Beginning in 1995, the Voshell family began traveling to Spain every other year with Mary Ellen's high school students, offering them a first-hand in-depth experience with Spanish language and culture. In 2010, Mary Ellen was named Idaho's "Foreign Language Teacher of the Year."

After retirement in 2011, Mary Ellen and Stan traveled on cruises throughout Europe and South America and enjoyed discovering new countries and cultures. Along with their travel adventures, they also rediscovered their love of playing bridge, and Mary Ellen managed The River Club bridge group whose members became special friends. Most recently, Mary Ellen and Stan visited Disneyworld with their son, Alex, and his family. Fond memories were made with plans to go back in the future. Mary Ellen delighted in her grandchildren. She frequently shared rides on her scooter, affectionately referred to as "Mimi's Motorcycle." She also enjoyed baking with her grandchildren and spoiled them on each holiday with perfect gifts and yummy sweets and treats.

Mary Ellen's volunteer work includes Province Director of Alumnae for Kappa Kappa Gamma, President of the local chapter of Mended Hearts, a cardiac patient support organization, Building Representative of the Boise Education Association, and Editor of the Boise Junior League newsletter. She was an active member of the Boise Valley Kappa Kappa Gamma Alumnae Association and of Chapter BK of P.E.O.

Mary Ellen will be remembered for her boundless energy, positive attitude and ever-present smile which touched her family and friends as well as peers and students alike.

She was preceded in death by two infant sons, David Stanley and Adam Daniel Voshell.

She is survived by her loyal caregiver and husband of 47 years, Stan, children Jennifer Jordan and Alex (Maddison) Voshell, parents Daniel and Carmelyn Johnson, brothers Daniel (Traci) and Paul (Anne) Johnson, sister Carole (Tim) Bower, former son-in-law Dr. Anthony Jordan, grandchildren Ian, Jackie and Nathan Jordan and Harris Voshell, and numerous beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Mary Ellen's family is grateful to so many dear friends who provided support and encouragement throughout the years as well as to the devoted medical personnel who cared for her, including St. Luke's SICU, St. Luke's Palliative Care, St. Luke's Wound Clinic, and Dr. Stephanie Fry.

A funeral mass will be held at 11:00 am, on Friday, April 12, 2024, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 811 S. Latah St. in Boise, with visitation at the church beginning at 10:00 am. Burial will follow at Morris Hill Cemetery in Boise.

Please visit Mary Ellen's memorial webpage at www.bowmanfuneral.com