Joyce Hulstein Vroon

Joyce Vroon—creator, artist, photographer, teacher, writer and foremost loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend—died on May 10, 2026 after a brave battle against cancer. She far outlived the cancer’s prognosis and persevered with tremendous determination to continue the life she loved with her family and many dear friends. Her family and friends are devastated by losing her; their deep love, admiration, and gratitude remain for the gift of her beautiful life.

Joyce Hulstein was born to Neal S. and Helen Bouma Hulstein in Chicago, Illinois on January 6, 1940. Her parents met while teaching at the same Chicago school. She had two brothers, Calvin (Cal) and Robert (Bob). In 1944, her family moved to Denver, where she had fond memories of growing up on Washington Park with views of the Rocky Mountains from the front porch – a place she described as “sunshine, wide open spaces, and mountains.” She played tennis, skated on winter lakes, studied art, played piano, and designed clothes. She would later self-publish Reflections, a book about her childhood in Denver, and wrote, “It was a can-do culture of self-reliance and initiative, with great freedom and independence, and trust that the world was a safe place. And most of all a world unplugged with no internet or hand-held devices…We often had to find our own way as I discovered many times in search of a creative life.”

In 1959, she attended Colorado Women's College (Denver), where she studied art, fashion design, and interior design. She transferred to Calvin College (Grand Rapids, Michigan) and graduated in 1961. She later earned a master’s in art education from Georgia State University. Her master’s thesis was: “The Metaphoric Method: Individualizing the Preadolescent Art.”

In college, Joyce met David Vroon from Miami, Florida, and they married shortly after graduation in 1961. During David’s years in medical school at the University of Miami, she taught in public schools and the Westminster School in Miami. Their children Bryan and Valerie were born in Miami, and Brad was born while David served in the U.S. Navy stationed in Milton, Florida. In 1969, their family moved to Atlanta where David completed his residency in pathology at Emory University School of Medicine and later became Associate Professor and the Director of Clinical Laboratories at Grady Memorial Hospital, a position he held for 25 years.

Joyce was devoted to inspiring creativity, imagination, and confidence in students through art. Over the course of her long and fulfilling career, she taught at the Savannah College of Art and Design, Georgia State University, Westminster School in Miami, the Westminster Schools in Atlanta, and Trinity School in Atlanta. She believed in the power of art to nurture self-expression and wonder in children.

In 1980, she joined the faculty at Trinity School where she taught art for 26 years and became beloved by generations of students. She was especially proud to see her students’ artwork showcased in three editions of Emphasis Art, a leading college art education textbook. Her articles also appeared in School Arts and Arts and Activities, and she gave numerous presentations at national conferences for art education.

Beyond the classroom, Joyce gave generously of her time and talents. She served on the Teachers Advisory Board at the High Museum of Art, served on the Board of Friends of the Benson Center, founded an after-school program for young artists, served as a founding member of the Atlanta Collage Society, served in various leadership roles for the Prime Time program for seniors at Trinity Presbyterian Church, and volunteered at the Ronald McDonald House for families of hospitalized children.

After retiring in 2006, she enjoyed teaching art to her young grandchildren, attended their many sports games, events, and concerts as their greatest fan, and watched with pride as they developed. She loved creating a beautiful home and traveling with her husband David, always visiting art museums during their many trips abroad. One of her favorite adventures was a cruise through the Baltic seaports.

In 2010, David passed away from cancer. She remained in their family home for many years, following the example of her own mother. In 2023, she moved to Canterbury Court, where she appreciated a vibrant community of beloved friends and activities.

The loves of her life were her family, friends, and students, art and art education, reading, writing, music, photography, and travel. “A few of her favorite things” included traveling with her husband David, working in clay, developing black and white prints in the darkroom, creating collages, dreaming up ideas for students, teaching art to her grandchildren, attending her grandchildren’s events, seeing her children develop their paths in life, playing tennis, taking writing classes, writing a book about her childhood, attending Atlanta Symphony concerts, and enjoying the company and camaraderie of many friends whom she treasured deeply.

Joyce is survived by her children: Bryan Anthony Vroon (Caroline Shaffer); Valerie Joy Vroon Raymond (Robert Raymond); Bradley David Vroon (Brenda Black); and ten grandchildren: David Charles Vroon, Dylan Robert Vroon, Daniel Shaffer Vroon, Zoe Vroon Raymond, Breanna Joy Raymond, Zachary Louis Raymond, Bailey Lee Raymond, Taylor Dabney Vroon, Jackson David Vroon, and Noah Bradley Vroon.

She is also survived by her older brother Calvin Hulstein and his wife Anne Hulstein of South Windsor, Connecticut, along with many nephews and nieces whom she adored.

She is preceded in death by her husband, David Vroon; her parents Helen and Neal Hulstein; and her brother Robert Hulstein and his wife Janet Hulstein.

A service celebrating her life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 3003 Howell Mill Road NW, Atlanta, Georgia 30327. A reception at the church will follow.

Prayer of St. Francis

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:

where there is hatred, let me sow love;

where there is injury, pardon;

where there is doubt, faith;

where there is despair, hope;

where there is darkness, light;

where there is sadness, joy.

O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek

to be consoled as to console,

to be understood as to understand,

to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive,

it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.