Rebecca Jane Van Voorhis

Rebecca Jane (Morrison) Van Voorhis passed away in Indianapolis on March 8th, 2026 after a fall in her home. Born to Clancy and Forrest (Hollingsworth) Morrison in Canton, Ohio on March 8th, 1945 Becky graduated from East Canton High School in 1963 and earned her Bachelors degree from Baldwin Wallace University in 1967. During her high school and undergraduate years she made many lifelong friends who miss her dearly.

Soon after graduation, she married her high school sweetheart Marvin Van Voorhis. The two spent a year volunteering with the VISTA program in Iowa before Becky returned to school where she earned her MSW and ultimately PhD in social work from the Ohio State University in 1974. During her time in Columbus, she also gave birth to her two children, Katrina and Troy.

In 1980 she moved with her husband and two young children to Indianapolis, where she would live for the next 46 years. She was a professor in the IUPUI (now IUI) School of Social Work for 29 years, where she taught thousands of young and aspiring social workers how to care well for their community. She was the head of the Women’s Studies Program at IUPUI for five years, a licensed clinical social worker for over 40 years and a founding board member of the Women’s Fund of Central Indiana. She was a lifelong advocate for all groups on the margin, particularly members of the LGBTQ community, the elderly and those experiencing homelessness.

In 1992 she met Linda McClain. The two fell in love and were wed in 1999 in a civil ceremony in Vermont. Throughout their years together, Becky and Linda were both devoted grandmothers to their five grandchildren. In 2005, their lives were transformed by their work with the IU -Kenya project in Eldoret, Kenya. Together they helped develop services to support the thousands of orphans whose parents had died of AIDS. After their return, Becky spoke to many groups about her experience and raised money to support the schooling of the orphans and provide supplies for the grandmothers who were their caregivers.

Becky was an avid Ohio State fan and frequently traveled to see them compete in (and often win!) bowl games. She also loved the arts – particularly Broadway plays – and made frequent trips with friends and family to see the latest productions. Every year, she spent time with family in Lakeside, Ohio – a place her family has visited since Becky was seven!

Becky was predeceased by Linda McClain and her brother, Jay Morrison. She leaves behind: her two children, Katrina Getts and Troy Van Voorhis; their spouses Bob and Elisa; and grandchildren Bradley, Adam, Lee, Peter and Jordan. She is remembered fondly by her extended family in Indiana, Ohio, California, Minnesota, New Jersey and Australia. She also leaves behind countless dear friends in the Indianapolis area – particularly in the LGBTQ community that supported her for decades.

A Memorial service for Becky will be held at North United Methodist Church on May 9, 2026. Calling hours will be at 1:00 PM, with the memorial at 2:00 PM and a reception to follow. Memorial contributions may be made to Exodus Refugee Immigration or to AMPATH Kenya through the Indiana University Foundation.