Joyce Elaine

Joyce Elaine (née Grochocki), age 91, passed away on Friday, November 15, 2024, at Woodland Acres Assisted Living in Gaylord, Michigan. 

Forever young at heart, Joyce lived a vibrant and independent life. She was born to Frank and Pauline Grochocki on October 16, 1933, in Hamtramck, Michigan. In June of 1951 she married Ronald Drost and together they raised a beautiful family. She graduated from Oakland University in 1979 with a BS in Human Resources Development, and her love of people caring showed itself throughout her work as a grief counselor, social worker, substance abuse counselor, and vision eye screener for children in Oakland County schools. Joyce loved Jesus, and her entire life she was involved in ministries of the church: she cared and listened to others, prayed and helped people, and provided comfort in times of need. 

Joyce loved her Polish heritage. She enjoyed Polish food and traditions, always singing Sto lat on birthdays and Polish Kolędy (Christmas carols) at Christmas. She and her mother and brother Frankie would send boxes of clothes and envelopes of money to their relatives in Poland, and a highlight in her life was a long trip to Poland to visit her extended relatives and see their homes and land. 

Joyce took great enjoyment in entertaining and hosted many memorable gatherings for family and a bountiful circle of friends. She was a lover of the arts, volunteering as an usher at the Detroit Opera House, dabbling in drama (which involved a trip to Greece with a theater group, dancing and acting on stage!), listening to classical music, and was a keen interior designer, always impressing others with her home decoration and color. Joyce had a lifelong verve and passion for being fashionable and was always enthusiastic about shopping and visiting art shows. For several years, Joyce was a member of the Red Hat society. She loved dark chocolate, playing Canasta and Euchre with her granddaughters, soaking up the sunshine, and basking by the lake or ocean! In 2016 Joyce purchased and moved to her cottage on Lake Manuka in Gaylord, MI, fulfilling a long-desired dream of once again living on a lake. 

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents Frank and Pauline; four siblings, Dorothy Spiro (Joseph), Norbert Grochocki (Marion), Frank A. Grochocki, and Mildred Grochocki; daughter Cindy Drost and son Christopher Drost; and former spouse Ronald Drost. 

Joyce is survived by her son Kevin Drost of Clarkston, MI, Son-In-Law Greg Urbiel (husband of Cindy Drost) of Grosse Pointe, MI, daughters Bonnie Blair of Gaylord, MI, Janet Hagedorn and her husband, David Hagedorn of Gaylord, MI, and Johnna Beachboard of Luzerne, MI; her grandchildren Nick Nida, Claire Hunter (John), Kristine Maser (Jeffrey), Rose Urbiel (Noah), Pauline Marquard (Hans), Eric Hagedorn (Heather), Jayne Young, Anne Urbiel, and Sophie Snow (Trevor); numerous great grandchildren and beloved nieces and nephews.

For the last four years, Joyce lived at Woodland Acres, where she was affectionately known as Busia. Thank you to Woodland Acres for their wonderful loving care. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place 12:00 PM Friday, November 22, 2024, at St. William Parish in Walled Lake, where the family will visit with friends beginning at 10:30 AM. A luncheon will follow in the parish hall. Interment will take place 10:00 AM Monday, November 25, 2024, at St. Thomas Cemetery in Elmira. 

Flowers may be sent to St. William Parish, 531 Common St, Walled Lake, MI 48390; or donations may be made to Woodland Acres Assisted Living and/or the Otsego County Commission on Aging, both in Gaylord, MI.

Please share your memories and personal messages with the family on her guestbook below.