Jean Baillies

Voss

Jean Baillies Voss was born September 16, 1919 and passed away December 8, 2017 at Sunset House. Jean grew up in Minocqua, Wisconsin, daughter of Sidney T. and Minnie Duncan Baillies, along with her brother Duncan S. Baillies and sister, Elizabeth M. Dodge. Jean was a graduate of the University of Wisconsin where she played both cello and trombone in the orchestra and band.

During World War II Jean joined the American Red Cross, and shipped off to London where she was assigned to work at the G.I. Convalescent Center outside London. Later, she was transferred to Salzburg, Austria as the Program Chairman of the Servicemen's Club which supplied entertainment for the Armed Forces Radio Shows. There she met her husband, Frank James Voss, who was the Entertainment Director for Armed Forces Radio. It was during the 1945 Christmas Eve live broadcast that Frank proposed on air to Jean.

After the war, the couple married and settled in Frank's hometown of Reading, Pennsylvania, where Jean was a Professor of Speech and Drama at Albright College. When Frank joined Dana Corporation, the couple made the move to Toledo.

While Jean gave up her teaching, she filled her time between raising their two daughters, Robyn and Jeanie, and volunteered for numerous community groups. She helped to start the Lincolnshire School kindergarten, was part of the early days of the Village Players, the American Red Cross of Toledo, the Mothers Study Group of Ottawa Hills Schools, and the Board of the Sunset House. For decades she was a devoted Toledo Museum of Art Docent and Aide. Jean also loved a show, and both wrote and directed many variety shows held at Inverness Club and Ottawa Hills.

Jean's greatest loves were her husband of 60 years and "together" time with her family. Her grandchildren, Nick and Katie, brought even more love and joy to her heart.

There is boundless more to this dedicated woman, as she ended every phone call with "just one more thing". She never liked to say good-bye.

Friends may call from 12-2 pm on Friday, December 15th at the Foth- Dorfmeyer Mortuary, 3815 Sylvania Avenue (at Woodley Rd.). Graveside prayers will follow at Joy Cemetery, Ottawa Hills. An additional Celebration of Life will take place at Inverness Club, 4601 Dorr Street, Toledo on Saturday, January 6th, 2018 at 4 pm.