Joyce Elsie (Schweim) Grimshaw, known for her strength, feistiness and love for storytelling and sparkly jewelry, passed away on August 14, 2024, at the age of 94.
Joyce was born in 1929 to Charles and R. Elsie (Diemond) Schweim. The oldest of three, with brothers Chuck and Larry, Joyce fondly recalled learning from her father and summers at Camp Westminster. She graduated from Highland Park High School and took pride in being a Polar Bear. Joyce married Harold Applebee in 1948, and they had four children, Sharla, Edward, Irvin and Marta. When the marriage ended and Joyce was left caring for her young family on her own, she resolutely decided to become a teacher. Joyce put herself through college at Wayne State University, graduating with a bachelor of science in education and an master of science in counseling.
Joyce spent 28 years in Redford Township, Michigan, where she taught science, math, social studies and English at Pearson Junior High, Roosevelt Elementary and Bauman Elementary. A lifelong educator, after retirement Joyce couldn’t stop teaching, assisting both kids and adults at Polly Fox, the Perrysburg Senior Center, Zoar Lutheran Church and Heartland of Perrysburg. She loved to learn and share information with others– students, relatives, friends, even strangers.
In 1981, Joyce married Donald Grimshaw, embracing his quirky humor and love of penny-farthings. They enjoyed having their family visit, even bravely welcoming their young grandchildren for a week each summer, during which Joyce took the kids on trips to Belle Isle and Boblo Island, after decorating matching shirts together with paints and beads. Don passed away in 1994, and in 1997, Joyce moved to Perrysburg.
An adventurer at heart, Joyce enjoyed traveling. She drove cross-country to the west coast at least three times, through both the U.S. and Canada. Her most recent trip was at the age of 80, when she and a friend outfitted a conversion van with a mattress and a few necessities, sleeping at rest stops and forging their own path. Joyce also had the chance to explore Europe over the years, visiting a grandson in Paris, and taking tours of Germany, Austria, Italy, Lichtenstein and Switzerland. And yes, every trip gave this educator more to learn and share.
Joyce took joy in sharing her artistic creativity as well. Over the years she made hundreds of pieces of jewelry, including bead earrings, pins and yarn necklaces, and collected interesting pieces she found at art fairs or unique shops. She delighted in sharing her finds and creations with others, believing that the chance conversations that resulted made life fuller and more interesting. Joyce also made beautiful greeting cards, including her annual Christmas cards, stamping each one on the back with her signature “JG.”
Joyce is survived by her children, Sharla (Douglas) Cook, Edward (Deborah) Applebee and Marta (Ralf) Pionke; nine grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren (with three more on the way). She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers; husband, Don; son, Irvin, and two infant daughters, Linda and Barbara Jo.
The family wishes to thank the support of Northwest Ohio Hospice, especially Valerie, Dina and Heather, for their compassionate care.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at Zoar Lutheran Church in Perrysburg on Friday, October 4, with visitation at 10 a.m. and service at 11 a.m.
Donations in Joyce’s memory may be made to Zoar Lutheran Church, 314 East Indiana, Perrysburg, Ohio 43551; Hospice of Northwest Ohio, 30000 East River Road, Perrysburg, Ohio 43551, or Wood County Committee on Aging, 140 South Grove Street, Bowling Green, Ohio 43402 for Perrysburg Senior Center.