Joyce Marie Wilson Washechek

Joyce Marie (Wilson) Washechek, born September 19, 1928, died peacefully on Thursday, May 12, 2022, at age 93. Joyce was raised with her sisters Donna and Pamela and worked as an executive assistant for a manufacturer’s representative. Joyce had a sparkling spirit and enriched each life she touched. She always had a quick smile and was generous with her love and her time. Everyone who knew her loved her.

As an avid volunteer, Joyce shared her time and talents with many community organizations over the years.

She served in many capacities in the Girl Scout organization, including a troop leader for many years and eventually became President of the Great Blue Heron Girl Scout Council of Southeast Wisconsin.

Joyce served her community as chairperson of voting for Brookfield’s Sixth District, conducting over sixty elections.

As one of the first members of the Brookfield Congregational Church, U.C.C., Joyce served in numerous roles, including women’s auxiliary leader, Sunday school teacher and church choir soprano. Her activities culminated with becoming the elected church moderator.

Being an avid traveler, Joyce and her husband, Howard, enjoyed numerous trips throughout the United States, Canada and Europe highlighted by countless visits to children and grandchildren.

Always interested in health and fitness, Joyce enjoyed participating in a variety of sporting activities including, competitive running races and Alpine snow skiing. Joyce taught Alpine skiing to numerous children and adults through professional ski schools for more than twenty years. She enjoyed annual Rocky Mountain Spring ski trips with her family and fellow ski instructors.

Interestingly, Joyce met her husband, Howard, on a blind date in 1945, when he was in the Army Air Corps. They quickly became best friends, were married on February 3, 1951 and enjoyed 71 years of “happily ever after”.

Joyce and Howard have three children: David (Sue) Washechek, Nan (Terry) Bush and Mark (Susan) Washechek.

Joyce was a loving grandmother of Jennifer (Kenneth) Payne, Jeffrey (Lindsay) Washechek, James (Brianna) Washechek, Lindsay (Thomas) Velarde, Nicholas (Amanda) Bush, Steven Washechek, Kay Marie (James) Rozak, Joshua (Katherine) Washechek, Benjamin (Michele) Washechek and 17 great-grandchildren.

Joyce is also loved by Sister Pamela (Mick) Grbich, special cousin Roberta (Robert) Cooper, nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

She is preceded in death by Sister Donna Wilson Cutsforth and grandchildren Allison and Austin Bush.

A visitation will be held at Brookfield Congregational Church U.C.C., 16350 Gebhardt Road, Brookfield, Wisconsin on Saturday July 9, 2022 at 10:00 AM followed by a celebration of life service at 12:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Joyce’s memory may be made to your favorite charity or to Brookfield Congregational Church, U.C.C.

Joyce, you will always be loved, were a friend to many and will be dearly missed.