Photo courtesy of Lewis E. Wint and Son Funeral Home - Clarkston
May 5, 1935 - Sep 18, 2025
So sorry for your loss, she will be missed. We had so many good times together.
Julie Brown
September 25, 2025 | Sun City West, AZ | Friend
Joyce leaves a legacy of unconditional love for family and friends and always treated those with whom she had contact with the utmost respect and kindness regardless of their circumstances or station in life. Our world needs more Joyce O’Briens. She will be deeply missed and fondly remembered. Blessings to Joyce and all her family. Tim Patterson
Tim Patterson
September 23, 2025 | Clarkston, MI | Friend
O'Brien, Joyce M. passed away peacefully on the morning of September 18th, 2025, at the age of 90, leaving behind her legacy of unconditional love, strength, and generosity.
Born on May 5, 1935, in Pontiac, MI to Harry and Thelma Setter, Joyce carried with her a deep love for family, community, and the simple joys of life. A lifelong resident of Pontiac and Waterford, she touched the lives of all who knew her with her warmth, humor, and unshakable spirit. She was a caring mother, a proud grandmother, and a loyal friend – always the life of the party with a scotch and water in hand.
Joyce graduated from Pontiac High School in 1953. In 1957, she met her beloved husband Norman R. O’Brien Jr. on a blind date on Elizabeth Lake. Together they built a beautiful life – raising their three children Jeff, Kirk, and Kellie, working side by side at O’Brien Heating and Cooling, and finding joy in being together. Her greatest happiness came from time spent with family and friends. Sadly, Joyce endured the heartbreaking loss of Norm when he passed away unexpectedly in 1976.
After raising the children as a single parent, she went on to serve as an executive assistant in many fields and later retired from the 51st District Court in 1996. Joyce enjoyed cruising to Greektown with her companion Don Ryden where she had a lucky hand at the slot machines, watching the sunsets over Elizabeth Lake, cheering on the Lions, and savoring a coney dog at Pete’s. She was an active member of the Pontiac Elks’ Ladies Club, where her laughter, quick wit, and love of cards often kept the lights on late into the evening.
She also gave her time generously, volunteering for many years at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital offering a steady, caring presence to patients and families during their most vulnerable moments. Joyce never missed a Sunday family dinner, enjoyed helping with school pick-ups and sleepovers with her grandchildren and always insisted on hosting Christmas morning, filling her home with love, laughter, and the warmth of tradition.
Joyce’s love continues to live on in her children, Jeffrey (Christie) O’Brien and Kellie Dovre; and in her grandchildren who affectionately called her “Grandma OB” - William R. Mastick (Casey Watkins), Jenna O’Brien, Brooke O’Brien, and Eric (Cara) Dovre; as well as her great-grandchildren, Nora and Lincoln Dovre.
She is reunited in eternal peace with her beloved husband Norm O’Brien Jr., her son Kirk O’Brien, her son-in-law Gary Dovre, her longtime companion Donald Ryden, her parents and her siblings Harold Setter, Donald Setter and Elnora Jorgensen.
A celebration of Joyce’s life will be held at a later date. To honor Joyce’s lifelong love of animals the family requests donations to the Michigan Humane Society
Arrangements have been entrusted to Lewis E. Wint & Son Funeral Home, Clarkston.
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