Josette Marie Symanski

Josette Symanski, age 101 of Grandville, went to continue her faith-filled life with Jesus on Saturday, October 4, 2025. Bon voyage to our mom and grandmother! She was preceded in death by her husband, Bernard Edwin Symanski; daughter, Bernadette Myers; son, Donald Symanski; sisters, Margaret Thonet and Monique Benit; sons-in-law Charles Olszewski and Thomas Myers; parents Felicien and Germaine DeBruyne.

She is survived by her daughter, Janet Olszewski; daughter-in-law, Rita Symanski; grandchildren Theresa and Jonathan Olszewski (great-grandchildren Nora, Atticus, and Sawyer Olszewski), Christine and Jason Klimek (great-grandchildren Sarah and Jordan Spence - great-great-grandchildren Addie and Blakely Spence, Ben and Kelsey Viglietta), Bryan and Amy Myers (great-grandchildren Austin and Abigail Myers), Matthew and Jennifer Myers (great-grandchildren Noah and Halo Myers). Adding to this list are countless nieces and nephews in Belgium and in the United States.

Josette was born in Manage, Belgium June 16, 1924. Being born and raised in Belgium, she survived a horrific time of Nazi regime. Married September 8, 1945, Josette had met the love of her life, Bernie, during the liberation of World War II. She then became a loving and loyal wife. Josette and Bernie both embarked on a military life with a lot of stories and adventures to be had. What a classy mother and wife she was! Her talents of cooking and sewing were above and beyond. She was a top-dog seamstress for the Duddery in East Grand Rapids for 13 years. From wedding dresses to prom, she was haute couture (one-of-a-kind art form dressmaker). Quite the perfectionist, but always humble and charitable. She made this world a better place! We love you, Nana!

The family is forever grateful to the staff at Grand Village Assisted Living for their superb care of Josette.

As Josette would always quote daily, “c’est la vie” (that’s life), and what a life it was!

Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, October 11, 2025, at St. Luke University Parish, 10144 42nd St. Georgetown Township, Michigan 49428, with visitation prior to the service beginning at 10 a.m. In honor of Josette, the family encourages you to pay it forward with an act of kindness or donate to a charity of your choice. The family welcomes memories and messages at www.cookcaresgrandville.com in their guestbook online.