Helen Harris Voss

Helen Elizabeth Harris Voss was born in Wichita Falls, TX on November 18, 1933 and passed away at home in Woodland, CA on June 13, 2021. She graduated from Waco High School in 1952 and was one of the first woman architectural students at Rice University. She married Robert Robertson in 1955 and lived two years in Hawaii while her husband served in the U.S. Navy. She married Pierre (Pete) Loiseaux in 1967. They moved from Austin, TX to Davis, CA in 1971. Helen married Ronald Voss in 1982, recently celebrating 39 years of marriage. In 1989, Helen and Ron moved to Lamb Valley, near Esparto, CA, where they grew citrus and provided a natural sanctuary for a multitude of wildlife, including a large population of peafowl. Helen returned to UC Davis and completed her BA degree in Studio Art in 1989 with associated honors including Phi Beta Kappa and delivering the Student Presentation at the College of Letters & Sciences Commencement. She was preceded in death by her father, Evan Harris and mother, Elizabeth Wood Harris Cudd, and brother, William Harris. She is survived by daughters, Susan Robertson and Shelley Robertson; stepsons, David Loiseaux, Kendall Loiseaux, and Ron (Sue) Dwyer-Voss; stepdaughter, Susan (Kris) Voss-Rothmeier; specialson, David (Natasha) Asbury; grandchildren, Katherine/Katie (Quentin) McClure, Noah Dwyer-Voss, Sierra Dwyer-Voss, Henry Voss-Rothmeier, Rachelle/Ellie Voss-Rothmeier; great-grandchildren, Peyton Emerson, Jaelin Voss, Kairo Voss; and numerous nephews, nieces and in-laws.Helen was an artist, an architectural designer, project manager, and perhaps most of all an activist and professional volunteer. She started her activism in the early 1950s with participation in and organizing of civil rights and multi-racial activities in Texas. Her art includes several themes regarding sexism in religion, Latin American refugees, war, and other social issues. She lived in Houston in the early Space Age days and became friends with the original Mercury 7 astronauts and their families. Some of her art reflects related events. Sculpture was her favorite medium, thanks to her mentors Bob Arneson and Manuel Neri. She also created a variety of paintings and drawings. Her strongest legacies may be her commitment to community, volunteerism and associated management. When the Sacramento County Hospital transitioned to the UC Davis Medical Center, she organized the nationally recognized volunteer program at the UCD Medical Center Hospital. When she and her husband, Ron, moved from Davis to Esparto in 1989, she said she couldn't live in a town without a library. So she organized and was the founding president of the Friends of the Esparto Regional Library (FERL). Ten years later, a new Yolo County library was built in Esparto. She immediately turned her attention toward building a swimming pool and recreation center for the Capay Valley Region. She organized and was the founding president of the Western Yolo Recreational Center Association (WYORCA). The new swimming pool and recreation center was opened in 2018. She served as a trustee of the Esparto Unified School District, as foreperson of the Yolo County Grand Jury, on the Boards of the Yolo County Fair and Heidrick Ag History Museum, and was active in numerous other community organizations.Helen loved to travel and was a lifelong learner of geography, history and cultures. She traveled to all 50 states and more than 50 countries on five continents, rarely taking organized tours. She preferred to experience cultures through personal contacts and self-explorations.A graveside service will be held at the Capay Cemetery near Esparto at 11 a.m., Thursday, June 24, 2021. A celebration of her life, including a showing of some of her artwork and art created in her honor and memory will be held following this service at the Woodland Hotel beginning at noon. All are invited to this celebration, and an intended RSVP would be appreciated to https://celebrationoflifeforhelen.rsvpify.com by Monday, June 21. One of Helen's passions and joys was art by children and young artists. Anyone who considers themselves to be one of those is invited to bring a drawing or painting to the Celebration.The family expresses its gratitude to Sutter Hospice and We Care 4 You caregivers for the comfort and care they have provided. In lieu of flowers or other gifts, donations may be made to FERL, P.O. Box 787, Esparto, CA 95627; Yolo Arts, P.O. Box 8250, Woodland, CA 95776; Manetti Shrem Museum, UC Davis, CA 95695; or your favorite charity or non-profit organization.
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