Joyce A. Spade

Joyce Anne Spade was a force of life that will always remain with us. She passed away on May 3rd, 2024, with her daughter by her side. She was a student of life, always learning and curious about the world. She was a leader, a mentor, and everyone's cheerleader. Her love language was giving. These characteristics would lead her to become an amazing educator and traveler. As a little girl she loved to play "school" with herself as the teacher. Growing up on Walnut Lake she was an avid water skier (slalom) and boater. She was captain of the Powderpuff Football team, a Varsity Cheerleader and voted "Peppiest'' her senior year at Groves High School, in Birmingham, MI. She attended her beloved Michigan State University where she was a football cheerleader, even cheering in the 1966 Rosebowl game and met Walt Disney at the parade. Education was very important to Joyce. She earned a BA from Michigan State University in Secondary Education/English, an MA from Oakland University in Secondary Reading, and an EDS from Wayne State University in Administration and Supervision. She also was an MISD leadership Coach for 4 years after retiring from Bemis Jr. High. She began teaching at Dwight Rich Junior High in Lansing from 1969-1971. She would then move to the Utica School System, and teach in Utica at Bemis Junior High (formerly Sterling Junior High). Over the next 6 years she initiated the EDL Reading Labs and Gifted programs, served as the English Department chair, coached the cheerleading team and was a ski club advisor. She then subbed in for the Vice Principal and stayed in that position until 1985 when she became Principal for Bemis. A title she held dearly for 24 years. Her Bemis staff was her second family. In 1997, she earned the esteemed title of Principal of the Year by the Macomb County Association of Secondary School Principals. Two years later she was headed to Washington DC when her school won the Nation Blue Ribbon Award. Throughout her career she touched the lives of her students and staff. We have been reminded of this the last few months by the outpouring of love we have received. She believed in family, friends and being together. She was the most present and loving daughter, sister, Aunt, friend and mom.. She was always encouraging us to live life to the fullest. She loved our cottage on Lake Huron up on Sand Point in Caseville Michigan and the special times we had there. For her daughter she would plan mystery trips, when she was young and then as adults they would take trips all over the world. Joyce's thirst for knowledge led her all over the globe. She rode a donkey to the top of Petra Jordan, she rode a hot air balloon above the Valley of the Kings in Egypt, again in Sedona Arizona at and above the caves in Cappadocia, Turkey. She white water rafted in Alaska, zip lined in the caves of New Zealand, walked atop the Sydney Harbor Bridge and got a kiss from Jimmy Fallen at The Tonight Show on her 70th birthday. She sailed down the Nile, MeKong, Elbe and Rhine Rivers to name a few, along with sailing through the Panama Canal. She is preceded in death by her loving parents, Kay and Les Grenfell, her soul sister Carol Kiernan (Bolier) and her cherished cats: Casey, Starr, Tiger and MiMi. Joyce is survived by her daughter Sheila (Spade) married to Paul Kolenda, sister Kathy Dapprich married to Mike, brother Bob Grenfell married to Ellen, Charlie the cat, and the many nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members and many cherished friends. A celebration of life will be held on Sunday July 28th, from 2-5 p.m. at Joyces beautiful home in Shelby township. In lieu of flowers please send a memorial gift to the Humane Society, humanesociety.org, Hit the tab at the top that says How You Can Help, then select Give in Memory, enter Joyce Spade for the memorial name and send to Sheila Spade, 1934 N. Washtenaw Ave. #201, Chicago IL,60647 or use Sheilaspade@gmail.com . She was loved to the moon and back and now her star will shine above us.

Joyce A. Spade

September 8, 1946 - May 3, 2024