Obituary of Joyce Joan Brewer
Age 89, died peacefully in hospice care at her home in Mount Morris Township, Michigan, on December 15, 2021. A memorial service for Joy will be held at 2:00 pm, January 6, 2021, at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation Church, 2474 S. Ballenger, Flint, MI 48507, (810) 232-4023. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Joy’s memory to Streethearts Animal Rescue (www.streetheartsanimalrescue.org) or the Unitarian Universalist Congregation (uuflint.org). Expressions of sympathy may be placed on Joy's tribute page at martinfuneralhome.com.
A native of Wisconsin, Joy came to Michigan to teach in the mid-’60s where she met her husband of 40 years, George Brewer. She taught for 30 years at Lacure Elementary School in Clio, touching many lives, especially through creative writing projects and music. Joy was an accomplished musician, playing the flute in the Flint Concert Band and summer band in Vassar. She sang with the Sweet Adelines Chorus for many years and more recently performed with the Clio Show to Go Singers. Raised as a Seventh-Day Adventist, Joy was a long-time member of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation Church of Flint, where she taught children’s education classes, sang in the choir, and performed in the flute choir. Joy had a big heart and her kindness was noted by all who knew her. She took in many stray animals and supported many charitable causes. Joy enjoyed gardening at home and also played the guitar and autoharp. In summer camping trips around the country with her family, Joy enjoyed looking for wildflowers, rockhounding, and learning about history. Special trips to China and Thailand were highlights. She was an avid reader and enjoyed poetry, writing some of her own in recent years.
Left to cherish Joy's memory are her stepchildren: Jim (Sue) Brewer and step-grandson Jerry of Plymouth; step-daughter Gwen Brewer (George Jett) of Lothian, Maryland; long-time caregiver Sharon Chimovitz; and, in Wisconsin, brother-in-law, Bill McGraw; nephew, David Irvin; nephew, Kenny Conant (Sharon); great-niece, Stacy; niece, Gail Conant; great-niece Gracie; great-nephew Evan.
Joy was preceded in death by her husband, George Brewer, her brother, Frank Fessler, and sisters: Janice Friis and June McGraw of Madison, Wisconsin.
Joy's obituary was lovingly written by her family.