Joyce Marie Winchester

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Joyce Marie Winchester, 95 died after a brief illness in Grandville, Michigan. Joyce was born February 3, 1927, in Ionia, Michigan, the daughter of Fay and Marie (Mann) Nash.

Joyce’s dream was to become a nurse, and after high school she began nurses’ training at Wayne State University and then Butterworth School of Nursing in Grand Rapids. She then became employed as a nurse at Butterworth Hospital. During that time, she was set up on a blind date with a young man from Michigan State University by the name of Forrest Winchester. They fell in love and were married one year later, December 21, 1948.

While Forrest worked as a Chemical Engineer, Joyce was a stay-at-home mom raising their three children. Eventually, Joyce wanted to go back to work part time as a nurse. Butterworth School of Nursing approached her and convinced her to get her four-year degree and become a nursing instructor. Joyce completed her degree at Aquinas College and taught at Butterworth School of Nursing until she retired. Joyce had said that teaching nursing students were some of the best years of her life.

After retiring from Butterworth Hospital, Joyce volunteered for the Nellie Clements Guild, the Auxiliary Board, and the hospital’s Coffee Shop. Joyce was also a member of the Spectrum Health Foundation Board for fifteen years, serving in many different leadership roles. During her time volunteering, she met a lot of great people, and many became her friends. In 2006 Joyce received the Art of Giving Award from the Spectrum Health Foundation and Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Foundation.

During their married life, Joyce and Forrest loved to travel, golf, and spend time with family and friends.

Joyce is preceded in death by her husband, Forrest A. Winchester, and her parents. She is survived by her children, Mark and Sherry Winchester, Pam Winchester, and Michael and Sandra Winchester. Joyce is also survived by her brother, Don and Elaine Nash and their families; her grandchildren, Matt (Stephanie) Kribs, Justin (Ashley) Kribs, Jodi Hillman, Melissa Winchester; and the loves of her life her great-grandchildren, Kaily, Keaton, Mari, Maison, Delaney, Jackson, Tycen, Cado, and Aemilia.

A service remembering Joyce will be held on Saturday, January 21, 2023, at First Reformed Church of Byron Center, 8425 Byron Center Ave SW with Pastor James Van Zetten officiating. Relatives and friends may meet the family at 10:00 am prior to the service at The ROCK at church. Service will begin at 11:00 am with lunch following. Interment will be at Winchester Cemetery, Byron Center, Michigan. Those who wish to remember Joyce in a special way can make gifts in her memory to the Spectrum Health Foundation for the Forrest and Joyce Winchester Endowed Fund for Cardiovascular Excellence.