Joy Loraine Smeltekop (Kyser) of Traverse City, MI was taken from us on September 30, 2017.
Joy was born in Mt. Pleasant, MI on November 19, 1932 to James and Agnes Kyser. She was a graduate of Traverse City High School (1951) and a member of Northwestern Michigan College's (NMC) first graduating class (1953) and continued her education, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Wayne State University.
During her professional life, Joy worked as a Social Worker in Muskegon, MI, traveled for the Market Research Department of Proctor and Gamble, taught in the Midland Public Schools and retired from a 30+ year career teaching at Grand Traverse Area Catholic Schools.
Joy was pre-deceased by her parents, brother (Gaylord Kyser) and sister (Isabella Kyser).
Joy is survived by her only son (Lance) and several cousins.
After her retirement, Joy continued to remain active in the community through her volunteer efforts at the Dennos Museum and Traverse City Visitors Center.
Joy was a long-time member of Central United Methodist Church in Traverse City.
As a result of her generous spirit and warm personality, quick wit and laughter, she was loved by many. Her Christian life was as beautiful as the flowers and gardens she loved and tended so well. Her gentle nature will ever remain in the lives of all who knew her. Dear to her heart were her fellow NMC classmates, her numerous friends, the many children whose lives she forever influenced, her kitties, her beloved son, and the quirky but fun friends lovingly named the "Golden Girls".
Please honor Joy at her memorial service taking place Wednesday October 11, 2017 at 11:00am at the Central United Methodist Church with visitation one hour prior.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts in Joy's honor may be directed to NMC or the Women's Resource Center of Traverse City.
Please visit Joy's tribute page at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com to leave a memory for her family.
The family is being cared for by the Reynolds Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services.