Resident Spotlight: Doris Voss

Doris Voss was born Doris Makalapua Shea, on December 20, 1927. She was raised in Papakolea on Oahu, Hawaii. She is one of Nine (9) children born to William AhLeong Shea and Hattie Makaneole, a full-blooded Hawaiian. During her childhood, Doris enjoyed playing games with her siblings and friends, especially marbles, at which she excelled. She looked forward to the annual beach picnic which involved the entire Papakolea community. Her community was part of the Hawaiian Homestead, and the people living there were very close and always involved in community activities.

Doris is pictured here with her son Al

After going to McKinley High School, Doris took shorthand and worked at Waikiki Bowl as a pin setter for a couple of months, then worked for Kodak of Hawaii as a checker, and later as a clerk/cashier. One day while she was working a uniformed gentleman came in to pick up photos for his friends, and gave Doris several receipt tickets. Doris couldn’t find the photos and told him she couldn’t locate them. This made him upset and he mumbled under his breath as he left the store.

About a month later, Doris’ friend named Queenie, who had been staying with Doris’ family for a couple of months, said her boyfriend was coming up to the house. When he got there, he told Queenie and Doris that he wanted them to meet his friend and neighbor, “Bud”. When Doris went up to the car and looked in, both she and “Bud” looked at each other and simultaneously said “it’s you?” After that awkward moment, the four of them and a friend decided to drive around the island. With ukulele in hand, Doris played and sang songs, one of which was “But Where Are You?”, which became the favorite song of Bud and DorisAlbrechtson, married December 14, 1946. Doris and Bud had four (4) children, Robynn Moana Sonoda, Lynnay Luana Argel, Albert Sigurd “Sparky” Albrechtson III, and Allyn Troy “Kippy” Albrechtson. Doris worked as a cashier at Zane’s Market in Kaimuki for 17 years while Bud worked as a police officer for 27 years, until the children were grown and out of the house. Doris also has 7 loving grandchildren. 

Bud passed away in 1988, and Doris remarried to David Voss. They traveled extensively while they were both in good health, but David recently passed away as well. His paintings are proudly displayed in Doris’ room, and she enjoys Hawaiian music, especially the oldies, and loves playing all kinds of card games.

She is indeed a family treasure! 

Submitted by Lynsey Capone, Activities Director