Born March 13, 1945, to John and Marie Chakirian in Bryan, Texas, Voski grew up in Cashmere, Washington. She died peacefully in her home in Lakebay June 9.
Following graduation from the University of Puget Sound with a degree in occupational therapy, Voski had a long career in Tacoma Public Schools as a therapist and provided pediatric clinical training for other therapists. After retirement, she devoted her life to art, music, granddaughters and her beloved South Salish Sea.
Voski’s life was a book of stories. Her interests were many and her passions strong. Whether she was rowing, drumming, writing, drawing or learning alongside her granddaughters, she was passionate. She was an avid rower among an elite and talented group of women on the Gig Verite. She was an accomplished Sumi artist, studying under her beloved teacher and friend, Fumiko Kimura. Her weekly drumming group became lifetime friends, as did her sorority sisters from UPS.
Voski was interested in life and sought instruction from masters. Everything she did was done with love and the roots of this love began in childhood. An incredibly strong person, she persevered through three cancers in six years, and said “cancer gifted me with meeting so many wonderful people.”
Voski is survived by her husband Robert; son, Boshon; grand daughters Arianna and Alexandra Sprague; and daughter-in-law Beth Griffith. She is also survived by her sister Candace McFarland and brother-in-law Dan of Kent; sister Mari Beckley and brother-in-law Paul of Cashmere.
The family wishes to thank CHI Franciscan Hospice and nurse Rachel for providing a steady guiding hand on Voski’s final journey.
A celebration will be announced following her instructions that “I don’t want a big deal.” Memorial donations can be made to the Puget Sound Sumi Artists scholarship fund (sumiartists@gmail.com), Cashmere Museum (info@cashmeremuseum.org) or CHI Franciscan Hospice (chifranciscan.org).
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