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Joyce Spendow

December 25, 1941 - January 14, 2025
Grand Rapids, MI

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Visitation

Tuesday, January 21, 2025
5:00 PM to 8:00 PM EST
Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes
Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel
2120 Lake Michigan Dr., N.W.
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
(616) 453-8263
Driving Directions

Rosary

Tuesday, January 21, 2025
7:30 PM EST
Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes
Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel
2120 Lake Michigan Dr., N.W.
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
(616) 453-8263
Driving Directions

Visitation

Wednesday, January 22, 2025
11:30 AM EST
Blessed Sacrament Church
2275 Diamond Ave NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
Web Site

Mass of Christian Burial

Wednesday, January 22, 2025
12:30 PM EST
Blessed Sacrament Church
2275 Diamond Ave NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49505
Web Site

Contributions


At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.

American Lung Association of Michigan
1475 E. Twelve Mile Rd.
Madison Heights, MI 48071
1 (800) 678-5864
Driving Directions
Web Site

Susan G. Komen for the Cure
5005 LBJ Fwy., Ste 250
Dallas, TX 75244
(888) 888-3317
Driving Directions
Web Site

Flowers


Below is the contact information for a florist recommended by the funeral home.

Ball Park Floral
8 Valley Ave.
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
(616) 459-3409
Driving Directions
Web Site

Life Story / Obituary


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Looking back on the life of Joyce Spendow it is easy to see both her unwavering perseverance and love for her family. She was always willing to go above and beyond to serve others, even a random stranger. Nothing brought Joyce greater joy than spending time with her loved ones, no matter how brief or simple the moments. Her solid work ethic and unshakable faith formed the steady foundation of her life. Deeply loved, Joyce will be forever missed by those who knew her best.

The 1940’s were a tumultuous time as WWII raged around the globe. Countless servicemen, including her Uncle Joe Rozek were called to fight away from home. Those who remained stateside clung to their radios for news. During this time there was a ray of light for John and Victoria (Rozak) Rekucki of Grand Rapids, MI as they welcomed their daughter, Joyce Marie into the world on Christmas Day of 1941.

In many ways Joyce was the typical girl of her era. She was raised in the family home at 117 Indiana Street NW along with siblings Ed, Carole, Larry and Jim. Brother Tommy passed away as an infant. Joyce and Carole were inseparable growing up and throughout their adult years. Both John and Victoria supported the family working at Applied Arts Manufacturing. The family enjoyed time together at family cottages were they would go mushrooming and smelt dipping. From a young age Joyce took great pride in her Polish Heritage.

Joyce attended grade school and church at Sacred Heart of Jesus and high school at Catholic Central, were she would meet her future husband and create life long friendships. Joyce began her work journey on the soda fountain at a pharmacy on Fulton Street NW. She furthered her education in cosmetology school, although never pursued the career. Her love of sweets was evidenced by her next job at the local bakery also on Fulton Street NW. Joyce’s beautiful hands stood out to anyone that knew her as she went on to enjoyed a brief career as a hand model.

Joyce married her high school sweetheart, James F. Spendow. He would forever hold the key to her heart. James was called away to military service. With a desire to spend their lives together Joyce and James were married at the Great Lakes Naval Base in Chicago, IL on January 21, 1961. Upon Jim’s return to the States they settled on the West side only one door from her parents on Dayton Street NW. As their family grew they moved way across town to 1107 Kelsey Street NE, where they attended Blessed Sacrament Church where their children were schooled. As their eldest approached high school they moved the family to their forever family home at 2634 Leffingwell NE. During their married life Joyce worked as head bookkeeper at D&W Northtown on Plainfield NE until she retired after over 40 years of service.

Joyce treasured her family above all else. She and Jim were overjoyed to become parents to their five children, Lynn, Cindy, Cathy, Brian and John. Joyce was a caring mother, excellent cook and a role model with a hard work ethic. Joyce and Jim enjoyed bowling leagues with her sister Carole and brother-in-law Joe and bus trips coordinated by brother Larry to a theatre play were an occasional joy. They also enjoyed playing cards with family and friends and the occasional date night, however, family always came first. Holidays, Sundays and summer camping trips were always spent with immediate family and extended family. They took a special trip to Captiva Island, FL for their 25th wedding anniversary and honeymoon they never had. They took many memorable trips with youngest son, John throughout the United States. One on the most memorable trip was to the Great Lakes Naval Base where they were married. After Jim’s passing in 2000, Joyce leaned on the comfort of her family and friends, as Jim was the love of her life.

Joyce was thrilled to become a grandmother to 5 grand children and played a very active role as her grandchildren grew into young adults. Joyce went on to become a great grandmother to 7 great grandchildren. Joyce loved her grandchildren and great grandchildren, dotting on them when ever possible. And let’s not forget her love for her grand fur-babies.

Joyce was a social butterfly throughout her entire life. She enjoyed time with friends, shopping or meeting for “coffee” at Fat Boys, Red Hot or Mr. Burger, to name a few of their favorite spots. Joyce also loved going to the movies with family and friends, going to the casino or playing Keno at various local restaurants.

Joyce had a passion for collecting beautiful purses of all shapes and sizes as she had an amazing sense of fashion. She also liked collecting Santas and beanie babes. When Joyce was no longer able to drive her love for shopping was shifted to QVC. She became the QVC Queen of kitchen gadgets, purses, jewelry, makeup and clothing. Always loving a good laugh one of her all time favorite’s was Lucille Ball’s I Love Lucy for which she named her beloved Yorkipoo, Lucy. Lucy was not only her constant companion for the past six years but Lucy was instrumental in her caregiving, alerting those of us present that Mom needed our attention at that moment.

Joyce’s strong spirit and sense of humor will be remembered and missed by all who knew her.

Joyce Marie Spendow, age 83, passed away January 14, 2025 at St. Mary’s Hospital. Joyce was born December 25, 1941 in Grand Rapids to the late John and Victoria (Rozek) Rekucki. She was also preceded in death by her husband, James Spendow; son, Brian Spendow; siblings, Tommy Rekucki, Edward Rekucki, Carole Sommerdyke, and Lawrence Rekucki. Joyce will be remembered for her joyful, social and fun personality. She loved fashion, her collections of purses and Santa’s, watching movies, but most of all, her family. Surviving are her children, Lynn (Jon) Goss, Cindy (Tim) DeDinas, Catherine Bailey, John (Melinda) Spendow; grandchildren, Joelle (Josh) Brown, Christopher (Brittney) DeDinas, Alex Spendow, Mason (Hillary) Spendow, Dylan Bailey; great grandchildren, Tre, Morgan, Olivia, Emma, Laela, Peyton, Ashton; her brother, James (Bob Maxam) Rekucki; many cousins, nieces and nephews; and her special fur friend, Lucy. The family shares a special thank you to care giver Kathy Mellema and her niece, Mary Rekucki for the loving care they provided Joyce in her time of need. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, January 22, 2025 at 12:30 PM preceded by visiting beginning at 11:30 AM at Blessed Sacrament Church, 2275 Diamond Ave NE. Friends may visit with her family on Tuesday from 5-8 PM at Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes, Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Drive NW with a Rosary beginning at 7:30 PM. Interment will be in Holy Cross Cemetery. In Lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to American Lung Association or Susan G. Komen for the Cure. To read more of Joyce’s Life Story, leave a memory or sign the guestbook please visit www.heritagelifestory.com.

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