Joyce Margaret Ochowicz

Joyce is survived by far too many people to list. In addition to her children, Jen Zeman (Hill) and son, Matt Hill, she leaves behind an army of family and friends. The love and pride she had for her children and grandchildren was immense. Joyce loved and protected her people with loyalty and fierceness. She was direct, but kind. She was known as Mom, Grandma, Auntie as well as "Tuff Love" by her dragonboat team and she nicknamed herself "OTW" (One Tit Wonder) after her mastectomy which gives just a glimpse of her sense of humor. When the nurses recently asked her if there was anything they should know about her, she replied, "I'm a bad-ass". She was.

She loved adventures. Not too long ago she rappelled 23 stories down Boji Tower in Lansing, Michigan to raise money for the The Women's Center of Greater Lansing. She was 80 years old!!! She traveled both in the U.S. and beyond, making memories and friends along the way.

Joyce was passionate about her dragonboat community and promoted it wherever she went. Her greatest joy came from participating with Dragonboat, even traveling to Florence, Italy in 2018 to take part in the 2018 IBCPC Participatory Dragon Boat Festival, bringing together thousands of breast cancer survivors from around the world. This major international, non-competitive event focused on celebrating life, networking, and camaraderie for breast cancer survivor paddling teams.

When she traveled to Washington State with Jen, she hooked up with the local dragonboat team to paddle with them.

Below is what her Dragonboat family has to say about her.

"Joyce was a beloved and fearless member of our Dragonflyers of Michigan family. The dragon boat was her happy place, and she generously shared that joy with all of us.

Although she never wanted to be called a coach, Joyce taught so many of us the finer points of dragon boating, and more importantly how to fight through adversity with the same strength and determination we bring to every stroke.

As a breast cancer survivor, Joyce was a tireless advocate for the healing power of dragon boating. She believed deeply in the community it creates for survivors and embodied that purpose every time she was on the water.

Joyce was a legend. A warrior. A positive, grounding force in our boat. Her impact on our team and our lives will never be forgotten.

We will honor her with each stroke we take.

Let it run one last time, Joyce.

Forever missed, forever remembered."

Matt and I cannot adequately convey how much she will be missed. We are blessed and proud that we were her children. Our hearts are broken, but also at Peace knowing she is no longer sick. She is being cremated in her Dragonflyers racing attire which she would love. May her adventures continue.

In lieu of flowers, Matt and I ask that you make a donation in her name to her dragonboat team at www.Dragonflyers.org to help the family & community she cherished continue to make a difference.

A Celebration of Life will take place at a future date when weather allows.