Joyce Elaine Nash

JOYCE E. NASH, lifelong resident of Royal Oak, MI, passed away August 27, 2020, age 84. She died of complications related to months of social isolation due to the statewide "pandemic" and shutdown. Making things even harder was the no window visit policy at Heartland Health Care Center in Troy where she was living. Joyce Nash -- Mother, Wife, Grandmother, Gardener, Animal Lover and Shadow Warrior -- March 6, 1936 - August 27, 2020. Beloved wife of Richard (Dick) Nash since August 18, 1956. Loving mother of Richard M. "Rick" Nash (Dee), Robin Nichols (Dan), and Ross Nash (Twannette). Dear grandmother of Alexandra, Kristina, Mary, David, Trinity, and Sarah. Great-grandmother of Harper. Loving elder sister of Nancy Jones. Joyce had four children, Rick, Robin, Ross and a son in law, Dan, she loved like one of her own. The mom they knew was always there for them, always in their corner, always on their side, and there for events large and small. Often her support was in the shadows, supporting her very busy husband in his efforts. Joyce was born in Royal Oak, MI and attended Royal Oak High School. Growing up, she was known first for her kindness to others, next for the beautiful clothes she'd designed as she was voted best dressed in high school and last but not least, people knew her as the girlfriend of local sports star, Dick Nash. Her Mother (Mabel Jansen) and her were very close and they bonded while her father (Tom Jansen) went off to WWII with the USMC. Joyce began "going" with Dick Nash in junior high school, and they were inseparable for the next seven decades until Dick's death in March of 2020. They married on August 18, 1956. While her husband attended Albion College, Joyce maintained a career to support Dick's path and education. Eventually after the birth of their first child Joyce kept things moving on the home front. This included helping the kids with homework and keeping the most manicured home and yard on Nakota. She almost single handedly supported the local Hallmark shop, scrapbooked for hours on end and attended thousands of hours of baseball, softball, basketball, football, volleyball and track to support her family. She was a part in seeing that all 3 of her children became honors students, always pushing them to give their best and in raising a couple of nationally recognized high school athletes. She may have been "coaches wife" but behind every great man is very often a great woman. Joyce was that woman. She was loved and will be missed by family and friends. Visitation will take place on Monday, August 31, from 10:30 a.m. until time of service, 1:30 p.m., at Wm. Sullivan and Son Funeral Home, 705 W. 11 Mile Rd., Royal Oak (4 blocks east of Woodward). Interment will follow at Roseland Park Cemetery in Berkley, MI. Memorial contributions to Michigan Humane Society are appreciated. Please share a memory on the Tribute Wall at www.SullivanFuneralDirectors.com.