Joy Colleen Hamm, age 96, a devoted wife, loving mother, proud grandmother and great-grandmother, and cherished friend, passed away peacefully on November 7, 2025.
Joy was born on July 16, 1929, in Grand Haven, Michigan, to John C. and Lyda (Platschorre) Voshel. She attended Grand Haven High School, where she met the love of her life, Charles "Charlie" Hamm. The two married on October 17, 1947, and built a beautiful life together in Grand Haven, welcoming daughters Cindy and Monica.
Joy worked for several years as a teleoperator for Michigan Bell and also dedicated herself to creating a warm and loving home for her family. The couple later moved to Holland, Michigan, where their Idlewood Beach home became a lively gathering place for family, friends, and neighbors. Their backyard pool was the heart of countless joyful get-togethers filled with laughter and love.
Joy and Charlie shared a passion for tennis and spent many happy hours on the court, where Joy became a skilled and competitive player.
In 1985 Joy and Charlie relocated to Florida, where they managed mobile home properties until retirement. They cherished their morning walks along Holmes Beach in Bradenton and the many friendships they formed there.
In 2001, they moved to Traverse City to be closer to family. After Charlie's passing, Joy remained active—playing tennis, attending water aerobics, enjoying card games, and traveling. She especially loved a good glass of wine, watching the Tennis Channel, and spending time with her family.
Joy is survived by her daughters, Cindy (Hamm) and Garry Holland and Monica Hamm; her grandchildren, Stephanie (Chris) Jackson, Brooks (Katie) Holland, and Courtney Linton; and her great-grandchildren, Sophie, Phoebe, Campbell, Thomas, Vaughan, and Charley. She is also survived by many beloved nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Charles Hamm, as well as her parents, brother Jack Voshel, and sister Peggy Morton.
A celebration of Joy's life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or online at
www.stjude.org
.