Joyce Zielinski

Zielinski, Joyce Joyce Zielinski died peacefully in her sleep on December 27, 2021, having lived her entire life in Michigan. As a young person, Joyce excelled in school and graduated high school as her class valedictorian. She attended Central Michigan University but left school to help our country's war effort during World War II. Joyce moved to Detroit and then Lansing to work in the Inspection Section of the U S Army Air Corps (soon to be the US Air Force) with General Motors. She oversaw the work of 10 clerks who confirmed accuracy of GM invoices for parts going to aircraft. When her war-time position was eliminated, she attended Albion College for a year then worked as bookkeeper for White Brothers Auto Sales in Kalamazoo. She had a flair for numbers and any work that demanded attention to detail. Joyce married John Zielinski in 1947. (Family members called him Johnny throughout his life.) They had 3 children. Joyce occasionally substituted for bookkeepers on leave but she primarily focused on taking care of their family, home and beautiful yard. Joyce was a gracious homemaker and organized countless extended family events. Hosting the viewing of the Portage July 4th fireworks from their yard, followed by a dessert buffet was a Zielinski tradition. Joyce was a lifelong volunteer. At school, she frequently served as room mother and field trip chaperone. At church, she planned and staffed wedding receptions. Joyce became a founding member and the first treasurer of Unity of Kalamazoo. She attended the same weekly prayer group for over 70 years. Joyce served many years as Girl Scout troop leader and neighborhood cookie chair. She co-led Brownie, Junior and Cadette troops and loved teaching girls self-sufficiency. She led her troops on camping adventures in all 4 seasons; appreciating the outdoors was a constant in her life. She and John volunteered annually to prepare the Camp Merrie Woode site for summer campers. Joyce loved to dance! Joyce and John belonged to the Coterie Dance Club of Kalamazoo and later Joyce attended years of senior line dance classes. At her 90th birthday celebration, she arranged for a caller to lead the attendees in several dances and had a wonderful time. She and John also had fun playing cards and attending card parties with friends. Joyce was usually the designated teacher of her family's game, Setback, for new learners. Memorial donations may be sent to Unity of Kalamazoo and Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan Council.