Marilyn Helmuth Voran, 91, of Goshen, Ind., died April 17, 2022, at her home. She was born Dec. 3, 1930, to Naomi (Oesch) and Atlee Helmuth at Aurora, Ohio.

She graduated from Aurora High School in 1948 and Goshen College in 1952 with a bachelor of arts degree in home economics education. After graduation she taught at Aurora High School. On Aug. 19, 1956, she married Melvin Voran, whom she met during a summer voluntary service assignment in Gulfport, Miss. They settled in Goshen, Ind., where Melvin was attending college. There she taught at Bethany Christian High School for three years. After that she enjoyed being a stay-at-home mom with their three children. Later, she worked with the Mennonite Central Committee Goshen office writing and teaching about world hunger issues. She also served with the Archives of the Mennonite Church and was a member of College Mennonite Church in Goshen, Ind.

She had a deep appreciation for nature and especially enjoyed bird watching and family travel to national parks and other scenic places. She also loved to create beauty through the visual arts, soul-nurturing indoor and outdoor spaces and the written word. She was sustained by her spirituality and faith. These values she generously shared with her family and friends. Many people hold fond memories of her presence in their lives through her teaching, worship planning, spiritual direction, writing, hospitality, cooking, intellect and wit.

She is survived by two daughters, Miriam (Andrew Faunce) Voran of West Lebanon, N.H., and Laurel (Dave Diller) Voran of Empire, Mich.; a son, Stephen (Gwen Grasse) Voran of Boulder, Colo.; her sister, Kathleen (John Hanson) Hartzler of Minneapolis, Minn.; brothers Harlan Helmuth of Aurora, Ohio, and Keith (Ellen Slabaugh) Helmuth of Debec, New Brunswick; and a granddaughter. She was preceded in death by her husband, Melvin.

Memorial gifts can be made to Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary, MCC or College Mennonite Church.