Joyce Smylie Heithecker

Joyce Smylie Heithecker, age 94, of St. Clair Shores, Michigan passed away on Thursday, February 6, 2025. Joyce was born in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, to parents Myrtle Smylie (nee Ebner) and Roy Stanton Smylie. Loving mother to Karen (Stephen) Graybill, Karl (Dawn) Heithecker. Cherished grandmother to Andrew, Shelby (Sean) Beckett, Leah Hofbauer, Sean Graybill, Alyssa (Nick) Becker, Evan, and Owen. Great-Grandmother of 6. Joyce was preceded in death by her daughter Kristen Cruise and her brother Bob Smylie.

In the early years, Joyce was voted most athletic at Denby High School in Detroit which she graduated from in 1948. She then continued her education at Henry Ford School of Nursing graduating in 1951 while attending that she was class president.

Joyce was part of an elite group of Nurse Anesthetists in the Metro Detroit area. She was one of the first RN's hired at the newly founded St. John Hospital in 1952. She took a little time off from her employment at St. John's to gain her diploma at the Nurse Anesthetist Program at Charity Hospital in New Orleans in 1956. After her schooling, she returned to St. John Hospital where she was the Chief Nurse Anesthetist until a few years short of her retirement in 1998.

As mother of 3 children, Kris, Karen and Karl Heithecker she resided in her family home in St. Clair Shores from 1959 until her passing. Joyce was a proud grandmother to 7. Joyce loved to garden and tending to her lawn and landscaping during the warmer months. She was especially talented at the art of decoupage.

Joyce will be missed by many family and friends.

Joyce will be laid to rest in Cadillac Memorial Gardens, Clinton Township, MI.

Arrangements entrusted to Kaul Funeral Home St. Clair Shores Chapel.