Joyce Joan (Grates) Rivard

Joyce Joan Rivard (nee: Grates) passed to heaven surrounded by the love and support of her family on Sunday July 24, 2022. Joyce was a vibrant, beautiful, and beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Joyce was a best friend and a helper to all who knew her. She loved her family above all else and showed them her faith every day in the way she gave of herself to those around her. Born in Detroit, MI, she was a member of Christian Mothers at St. Anne’s Catholic Church, an active member of Epsilon Gamma, and the Warren Garden Club throughout her life.

Joyce will be dearly missed by her beloved husband of 71 years and 310 days; they were the sweetest example of what a true love story should look like. Joyce shared her many talents and loves of art, canning, knitting, crocheting, cooking, sewing, ceramics, and Christmas cookies that went on forever beautifully decorated with her five daughters. They will forever treasure those gifts they shared together. Joyce’s grandbabies continue to share their memories of Grammy’s beautiful stories, huge hugs she always had to share, her tasty homecooked meals, warm-weather rocks on the swing in the backyard, among so many others.

Their daughters, grandbabies, and great grandbabies then spread to the four winds, carrying their memories of home and these treasured moments of Mama and Grammy in their hearts, refreshed by visits home. Mama was the consummate lover of all things children. She had arms to hold you and a smile that made you want to smile in return. So tender and true, Joyce always had a way of making you know you were truly loved. The front door was always open at the Rivard household, and another plate could always be laid at the table.

Joyce is survived by her beloved husband Edward Francis Rivard; her dear sister Beverly Murri; treasured daughters Sister Mary Immaculata, Kerry (Roy) Allor, Veronica Echavarria, Theresa Balinski, and Mary Hancock; ten grandchildren Jason (Jenn), Michael, Amelia, Scott, Kristian, Javier, Roberto, Rebecca, Thomas, and Timothy (Aimee); and ten great-grandchildren Drew, Noah, Gabriella, Ivy, Max, MaiKailah, Landon, Ava, Rayna, and Miles.

She is predeceased by her beloved son E. Michael Rivard; parents Clara and Otto Grates; in-laws Ramona and Cecil Rivard Sr.; sister Winifred; sisters-in-law Milagro, Ruby, Elenore, Marilyn, and Carol; brothers-in-law Jerry, Robert, Raymond, Cecil Jr., William, Gilbert, Richard; and sons-in-law Richard Echavarria and Allen Balinski.

We’d also like to thank a few special groups of people for making Mama’s transition so much more bearable for our family. There aren’t words enough to convey how much your time and talents lent to easing her pain. The special women of Fraser Agency Home Health Care, Compassus Hospice Team, and the special nurses at Ascension St. John 6 North. You all will be in our prayers.

In Lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Sisters of Charity, P.O. Box 691, Baltic, Ct. 06336. This tribute was lovingly created by daughter Theresa Balinski.

Visitation Friday, July 29, from 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. Rosary Service at the Wysocki & Wilk Funeral Home, 29440 Ryan Road, Warren, Michigan. Visitation will continue on Saturday, July 30, from 9:30 a.m. until the 10:00 a.m. Funeral Mass at St. Anne Catholic Church, Warren, Michigan. Interment will take place privately at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Detroit, Michigan.

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