Dr. Gay S. (Sherman) Voss

Margaret Gabrielle “Gay” Sherman Voss

May 15, 1935 - July 11, 2023

Gay S. Voss passed away Tuesday, July 11th at the age of 88.

She was born Margaret Gabrielle Sherman in Poughkeepsie, NY on May 15, 1935. Her parents, Earl Sherman and Catherine Crimmey, called her Gay. She attended Hoosick Falls High School then attended New Paltz Teachers College until her parents moved to Miami. Missing her family, she transferred to the University of Miami and Graduated in 1956.  Education was a lifelong focus for Gay, and she received her master’s at the University of Florida, then her Specialist and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Florida Atlantic University in 1977. 

Gay met her husband, and fellow educator, Dr. Stephen H. Voss in 1956; they married, and she began her 52-year career in public schools, as a teacher in Gainesville, Jacksonville and Maitland. In the 1960s she moved to Boca Raton when Steve became one of the first faculty members at Florida Atlantic University. She taught at Boca Raton Elementary and S.D Spady in Delray. She taught and was the Assistant Principal at Addison Mizner School in Boca Raton from 1969-1984 and the Principal of Rolling Green Elementary School for 24 years from 1984-2008.

Gay and her husband of 56 years, Steve, loved to travel.  Throughout her life she traveled all over the world with Steve and her family.  Even in her retirement, Gay continued traveling to Europe then with Rotary in India and Africa giving oral polio vaccine to children.

Upon retirement, Gay was active in supporting education through the Rotary Club and Zonta Club. She established an endowed scholarship at Florida Atlantic University to support those wishing to become teachers or take education courses. She also helped young women in Africa seeking a higher education.  Her love of books benefited many children in her family and encouraged them to read.  Gay gave many books to family and school children.  Often these were even autographed by the authors.  She gave books for several years for an entire school, Crosspointe Elementary, so each child would have a book for Christmas.  

Gay was proud of her family. She is survived by her son, Stephen H. Voss II, and daughters Kathleen Woolrich, Carol Johnson, and her foster daughters Angie West (Bo) and Frances Dean and stepdaughter, Jimmie Enderle (Chuck). She is also survived by her sister Kathy Cook (Albert), as well as grandchildren, nephews, nieces and her great grand-daughter.  She was preceded in death by her husband Dr. Stephen H. Voss and her son Richard. 

She will forever be in our memories... We were fortunate to have had her in our lives. Thank you for all you’ve done for us and all the others. Loving thoughts will be with you always. 

A memorial service and celebration of life will be held on August 19, 2023 at 1 pm, at the First United Methodist Church, Boca Raton, Florida, 625 N.E. Mizner Blvd. A reception will follow.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Gay S. Voss Scholarship fund through the Florida Atlantic University Foundation, The Zonta Club of Deerfield Beach, or the Rotary Club of Delray Beach. If you seek further information about donations, please contact Stephen Voss at voss749@yahoo.com.

Professional arrangements by:
Gary Panoch Funeral Home
6140 N. Federal Highway
Boca Raton, FL 33487
561-997-8580
www.gpanochfunerals.com

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