A Tribute to Grandma Breen

My Beloved Grandmother passed away on Saturday. Words can't truly express what she meant to me. She was a Godly woman, and I am excited for her to be in the presence of Jesus. But I will miss her every day for the rest of my life on this Earth. 

I had the honor of writing the obituary (with help from my aunts). This is sort of the extended version-it was edited a bit more before final publication. 

Joyce Breen passed into eternal life in the presence of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on October 25, 2025. Joyce Breen was born Evelyn Joyce Gerard to John and Doris Gerard on June 5, 1934. Joyce spent her early years working for the family business, Princess Bake Shop. She met Harvey Breen at school, and they began dating at the age of fourteen. They married in March 1952, when Joyce was only seventeen. They had seven children over the next eleven years. When the kids got older, Joyce obtained her Bachelor’s in social studies and English from Michigan State University, and ultimately her Master’s in English as well. She went to work at Newaygo Public Schools, first at the elementary school campus and later at the junior high. During her time at the junior high, she helped write a grant to get computers in the schools and created the first computer classes. Over her 20-year career as an educator, Joyce influenced the lives of many young people.

Harvey and Joyce were active members at Grant Wesleyan Church for over 40 years. Joyce served as a Sunday school teacher, and together they served as greeters on Sunday mornings and prepared food for funerals. Joyce said that Grant Wesleyan Church would always be their home.

In retirement, Harvey and Joyce worked as the directors of Love INC of Newaygo County. They faithfully served the underprivileged in Newaygo County for many years and continued to work as volunteers well into their 80s. They were a beloved presence in the community; their love for others truly represented the love of Jesus.

Family was the most important thing to Joyce. She hosted dinner at her house for every major holiday (and some minor holidays) and many Sundays. There was no need to ask-Christmas, Thanksgiving, New Year’s Day, Easter-Harvey and Joyce’s house, dinner at two. Memorial Day and Labor Day breakfasts in the park, summers on the lake, trips to the ice cream stand, birthday dinners-Joyce did everything she could to make sure her family knew they were loved.

Above all, Joyce wanted her family to know the love of Jesus Christ, a love which surpasses all understanding. She knew that she was a sinner saved by grace through faith; she knew that Jesus took the punishment for our sins through His death on the cross, and He defeated death through His resurrection on the third day. Joyce trusted in Jesus as her Savior and prayed that her family would too.

Joyce is preceded in death by her parents John and Doris, brothers Don, Allen, and Vernon, and sister Ann VanderKuil. She is survived by her husband of 73 years Harvey, her seven children John Breen, Timothy (Janet) Breen, Sharon (Randy) Bakos, Merrilynne (Kevin) Gerth, Terry (Mary) Breen, Jodi (Dean) Ferguson, and Robb (Pegg) Breen, 22 grandchildren, 49 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at Grant Wesleyan Church on Wednesday, October 29 at noon with visitation beginning one hour prior. Donations can be made to Love INC of Newaygo County.