Joyce I Schmitt

Joyce Irene Kennedy, age 91, of Marysville, MI peacefully passed away on September 25, 2026, after a long courageous battle with dementia.

Throughout her journey, she faced her illness with the same resilience and grace that defined her entire life, leaving behind a legacy of love, adventure and beautiful memories.

Born on November 9, 1934, in Kenockee Twp. MI, to the late Leo and Marie Kennedy, Joyce grew up to build a life that was centered around her family, faith and her community. She shared her love for learning as a Middle School Teacher in Marysville for 20 years, leaving a lasting impact on generations of local students.

A natural leader, she also served as a past president of the Lexington Lakeshore Garden Club, where she poured her heart into nurturing beautiful gardens. She served as a Past Commodore of the Women’s Auxiliary at the Port Huron Yacht Club. For her, leading these communities went hand in hand with her love of people and developing long lasting friendships. This warmth extended in her final years, during which she formed a special friendship with her caretaker, Kathy, whose dedicated care and companionship brought immense comfort to Joyce and her family.

A devoted communicant of St. Denis Catholic Church, her faith was a guiding pillar throughout her life. It was at St. Denis that she and her beloved husband, Bill, celebrated their momentous 50th wedding anniversary and joyfully renewed their vows. Together, they had a lifelong passion for traveling and creating unforgettable experiences for their children. Years later, they continued this cherished tradition of family travel by taking their beloved grandson, Ryan, to Disney World, creating a special bond and memories that he will always carry with him. They truly loved every moment they spent with him and their other grandchildren.

Following the painful loss of her husband, her resilient heart found joy once more when she met her special companion of over 20 years, also named Bill. They shared a deeply close companionship, and she completely embraced and loved spending time with Bill’s family, who brought her happiness into her later years.

Joyce lived her life passionately. She was an avid bridge player and enjoyed mahjong. Her quieter moments were filled with the joy of mastering the crossword puzzle or immersing herself in a historical fiction novel.

She is survived by her loving family, David Schmitt (Barbara Riedel), Susan Roth, and

Dale (Carrie), her six grandchildren, and ten great grandchildren; and her dear companion Bill Hiem along with his family. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Bill, her parents, Leo and Marie, and her sister Jane Atkins.

A service to honor and celebrate her life will be held in June at St. Denis Catholic Church located at 5366 Main Street, Lexington, MI.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in her memory to the Alzheimer’s Association or the Lakeshore Garden Club in Lexington, MI.

To send condolences, visit karrersimpson.com.