Joyce Grewe

Joyce Grewe of Chesterfield, MO, passed away at the age of 86 on Monday, June 22, 2020.

Joyce is survived by her children, Linda (John) Heslin and Michelle (Melanie Barrier) Grewe; her grandchildren, Connor Heslin and Patrick Heslin; and she was a loving aunt, cousin, and friend to many.

Loving Mother, Nana, and wife.  Joyce was married to her husband Bob for just over 50 years and enjoyed the stay-at-home years with her two young daughters…always making sure she attended their games and school events.  As the demands of motherhood started to relax, Joyce accepted a role as a receptionist at a veterinarian hospital and eventually trained as a surgery vet tech. She served in that position for over 30 years before retiring at the age of 76 as a receptionist for one of her best friends, Dr. Anita Fischer.

In addition to her career, Joyce was insatiably curious and constantly reading and learning new things. She was an avid gardener who couldn’t wait get her hands in the dirt each Spring and create beautiful flower gardens.  She had the greenest of thumbs and could nurse any plant back to health. She loved cooking and trying new recipes, even if Bob would say ‘that was filling’ when they weren’t successful.  She loved to bird watch and insisted they add feeders in the courtyard at her assisted living facility.  But above all, Joyce loved animals.  Over the years she had multiple dogs, cats, and birds and she carried the memory of their companionship until the end.

When Bob and Joyce moved to St. Louis from their hometown of Detroit, MI in 1964, they became very active parishioners at St. Norbert’s in Florissant.  They remained lifelong friends with several couples from the parish and this extended family was a tremendous source of support for them both.  After Bob passed in 2009, and Joyce bravely survived a tough battle with lung cancer, these friendships were a blessing and helped Joyce settle into her new life in assisted living.

We would like to sincerely thank the staff at Brooking Park Assisted Living who took such good care of Joyce for the last seven years.  To those who cared for her directly (past and present), you were very kind, supportive, and loving.  And for the staff who were and are presently responsible for the activities and religious support, she truly appreciated your time and attention. Brooking Park did an outstanding job during the pandemic and we felt she was in such good hands during such a difficult time.

Joyce was an incredible mother (even “adopting” a few daughters along the way) and adoring grandmother to her grandsons, Connor and Patrick.  She loved every minute babysitting them when they were young and spending time with them as they grew up.   Joyce was also a beloved aunt to many nieces who they flew in from all over the country for her 86th birthday.  She was so delighted by their surprise party that she declared “if I live to be 100 years old, I will never forget this!”  We are all mourning that Joyce did not make it to 100 but we will all carry her love and affection and never forget her joy in that brief delightful moment.

In lieu of flowers Memorial contributions in Joyce’s name may be made to the St. Charles County Pet Adoption Center.