Joyce Patrick

Joyce Patrick, age 99 of Plymouth, passed away on December 15, 2020.

Joyce was born on July 28, 1921 in Mackinaw City, Michigan to her parents, Harry and Phoebe (née Heric) Shoemaker. She is the beloved and devoted mother of four children – Shaaron Bawden, Vicki Schenkel, Tim (Cindy) Donovan and Mary Jane (Michael) Gregory; proud grandmother of Christopher Flum, Mindi (Matthew) Lines, Jeff (Brenda) Willis, Andy (Tessa) Donovan, Sarah (Carl Kendall) Gregory, Adam (Shanna) Donovan, Paul (Rachel) Gregory and Aaron (Jackie) Donovan and great-grandmother of 15 great-grandchildren. She is deeply loved and will be greatly missed by her sister, Barbara Dayney.

She was fifth in succession of nine children. An older sister, Virginia was stillborn. Her father was in charge of baggage for the Michigan Central Railroad. Her mother was a devoted homemaker raising eight children. The family relocated several times due to her father’s job and eventually settling down in Plymouth in 1928. Her father’s position at the railroad had a profound impact on Joyce resulting in her love of trains and traveling.

Joyce graduated from Plymouth High School in 1939. She had a strong work ethic, first entering the workforce in 1939 working at Parkview Memorial Cemetery in Livonia as a Bookkeeper and was in charge of turning on the organ prior to funeral services. She worked at Kelsey-Hayes as Final Inspector on the bolt line. During World War II, she worked at Kaiser-Frazer on the War Assets Board.

The year 1950 marked the beginning of a long medical career for Joyce. She worked as a Medical Factotum for two separate medical offices until 1975. Following retirement from the medical field, she chose to work part-time in a variety of positions over the years including working at the Elks, Emma’s Restaurant, and selling school uniforms. In addition, she was always willing to volunteer to help others.

Joyce was also very close to her Church family. She was a lifelong member of Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church in Plymouth and very active in many ministries at the church, especially Music Ministry. She was a member of the church choir since the early 1980s. Her deep faith in God and dedication to her church along with her love of singing, allowed her the opportunity to utilize her very special spiritual gift of music.

Family was everything to Joyce. She was always there for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren with her love and affection, encouragement, and support. Her relationship with her grandchildren brought her such pure and simple joy. Joyce’s relationship with each of them was very special and unique.

Friends may visit the Schrader-Howell Funeral Home, 280 South Main Street, Plymouth on Friday, December 18, 2020 from 3:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. There will be a rosary service at 7:00 P.M.

A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, December 19, 2020 at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church, 47650 North Territorial Road, Plymouth beginning at 10:30 A.M. Joyce will be in state at 10:00 A.M. prior to the start of the Funeral Mass.

She will be entombed at Riverside Cemetery in Plymouth, Michigan.

For those who cannot attend and wish to view the Funeral Service in a safe environment, the Funeral Mass will be live-streamed.


As of November 18, 2020, we are permitted to have no more than 25 people in attendance for visitations and funerals. Please be advised that in observance of the Governmental Order from the State of Michigan and the current COVID-19 situation, when in attendance at the visitation and funeral service, we kindly ask for the safety and well-being of the families we serve, and for your health, that everyone practice social distancing and consideration for other guests in attendance. Masks are mandatory. Please refrain from handshaking and embracing family members and one another.

Those who wish to honor the memory of Joyce Patrick are invited to consider a contribution to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 32121 Woodward Avenue, Suite 350, Royal Oak, Michigan 48073.

Contribution envelopes will be available at the Funeral Home.
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