She attended and graduated from Gaylord High School in 1943. In 1948 Joyce would graduate from Alma College and take a position in Manistee, Michigan for three years working with elementary students teaching music. After those three years of teaching she joined the Red Cross, where she would move to Colorado Springs and would meet her future husband Bob, together they started their life in California.
Joyce moved back to Michigan to take a position with Auto Owners and eventually was drawn back to her true passion of education in 1960, where she would start back teaching 4th grade at Michigan Avenue Schools. During this time she also went back to school and earned her Master’s Degree in Education from Michigan State University.
She became principle of Michigan Avenue Schools in 1969, and would retire from her position in 1983. In retirement Joyce would start The Personal Needs Closet in 1984.
Joyce was strong in faith and the love she had for her church congregation at North Westminster Presbyterian Church. She always found enjoyment in her trips to Lake Gitchegumee in Buckley, Michigan every summer as soon as school year ended. Most of all she will be remembered by her family for all her love and her hobbies; always knitting, making jams and picking berries.
Joyce is survived by her son; Alan (Julie) Spalding; and her brother Harry (Joan) McKinley and many loving nieces and nephews.
She is proceeded in death by her loving sisters; Ann Pester and Mollie Weeks.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made to North Westminster Presbyterian Church.
Services will also be lived streamed to join the family in celebration of Joyce’s life please click the link below:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5174848433
A memorial service for Joyce will be held Monday, October 4, 2021 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at North Westminster Presbyterian, 743 N Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Lansing, MI 48915, followed by a visitation from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.grbdmason.com for the Spalding family.
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