Joyce Ann Hathaway

Over her lifetime, Joyce met many needs of many people both family and friend. She was my companion who understood the necessities in life, ice cream cones and good conversation. She was my little sister. She was the person with whom I enjoyed crocheting; we'd talk and laugh about anything. Whenever I felt down in the dumps, she was always the one I called to cheer up my spirits. She was my rock. She was my big sister. She was my school lunch date, we would sit, eat, and talk. She was my personal TV guide! I'd call her and she'd read me the TV guide and tell me what was coming on that night so I planned my night accordingly. She was my first phone call when I was hungry for apple pie; she whipped up the biggest apple pie I had ever seen! She was my big sister. She was very giving, joyous and laughed easily. She was very creative and enjoyed making people happy. She had a strong sense of family loyalty and would go to bat for family in a split second. She was my big sister. She was my biggest supporter for school fundraisers. She bought hundreds of cans of Campbell's soup and removed all the labels so I could take them to school. She was my big sister. She had a laugh that was distinctive and very contagious. She was my aunt. She was someone I told all my problems to because she understood. She was my best friend. She taught me to laugh, to believe in miracles, to see my own inner beauty because she first saw it. She modeled strength and tenacity in ways I have seldom seen in others. She encouraged me to think outside the box and to find confidence in being true to myself even when that looked different from those in the circle around me. She took me from crayons to perfume. She taught me to smile. She was my mom. Joyce loved and was truly loved by all the special people in her life; she will be dearly missed. She was born in Grand Rapids, the daughter of Clyde J. and Catherine E. (Bayle) Hathaway. She passed away at her home in Jackson under the loving care of her daughter on May 26, 2022. Joyce graduated from Jackson High School and Jackson Community College. She worked many years at Sparton Electronics. Joyce is survived by her daughter, Kay Richardson; eight siblings, Nancy Austin, Barbara Hathaway, Sandra Hathaway, Dale (Loretta) Hathaway, James (Tammy) Hathaway, Susan Monroe, Laurie (Gerald) Brown and Tony Hathaway; dear friends, Dorene Johnston and Glen Emrick II; many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Larry J. Hathaway. A graveside service will be held at Oak Grove Cemetery in Napoleon (7050 S. Brooklyn Rd, Jackson, MI 49201, driveway closest to Napoleon) on Saturday, June 11, 2022 at 1:00 pm. Joyce's family would like to thank the home healthcare staff at Thome PACE, especially Angela and Stephanie, for the wonderful care given to her over the last four years that allowed her to live in her own home during that time.

Joyce Ann Hathaway

December 21, 1954 - May 26, 2022