Elizabeth Ann Yossem-Guy
Radiant. Strong. Compassionate. Brave. Beautiful. These words describe Elizabeth Ann Yossem-Guy, who we lost on August 1, 2014 after a long battle with cancer.
Elizabeth was born March 6, 1970 in Santa Barbara, CA. She graduated from Dos Pueblos High School in 1988 where she was a member of the varsity swim team and the Usherettes. She attended Santa Barbara City College and UCLA earning a bachelor’s degree in Art. Later she earned a master’s degree from Loyola Marymount University in Clinical Therapy with a specialization in Art Therapy. Her passion was to help people through art. Shortly after graduation Elizabeth joined the Peace Corps and was assigned to the island of St. Vincent in the Caribbean. In St. Vincent Elizabeth counseled children using her skills as an Art Therapist. While there she wrote a book on conflict resolution that is still used in the schools there. She met Osbourne Guy in St. Vincent and married him there in 2000.
Elizabeth and Osbourne moved back to Santa Barbara for a short time before she joined UNICEF and moved to Pohnpei in the Federated States of Micronesia. She helped establish a new UNICEF office in Pohnpei. In anticipation of the birth of their first daughter, Elizabeth and Osbourne moved back to Santa Barbara in 2002.
In Santa Barbara, Elizabeth became an active member of the community. She taught classes in raw foods cooking. She made and sold beautiful jewelry in My Mamma Rocks and Synergy Rocks.
Elizabeth is remembered as a caring friend who always greeted people with a warm smile and big hug, and who found the right words to console someone in need. She enjoyed her role as a wife and mother to the fullest.
Elizabeth is survived by her husband Osbourne, daughters Zenzele (12) and Jahzara (8), mother Susan, father David; her brother Paul, sister-in-law Lisa, nephews Maddux and Camdyn, and other family members and friends around the country and world.
A Celebration of Life will be held for family and friends on Sunday, August 31st.
In lieu of flowers, donations to Hospice of Santa Barbara, Serenity House, or Cancer Foundation of Santa Barbara would be greatly appreciated.
Gone but never forgotten. She will live in the hearts of the many people who loved her bright smile and passion for life, love, and radiant health.