Joy Upson

Upson, Joy Grand Rapids, MI Joy Gertrude Upson, age 93, of Grand Rapids, and formally of Chicago, passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 13, 2018 at Blodgett Hospital in East Grand Rapids, MI. She was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, The Rev. Charles B. Upson, J r. She will be lovingly remembered and greatly missed by her son Christian; daughters Mary Brewer, and her husband Daniel, Caroline Bernson, and her husband Steve, grandson, Dr. Steven Leonard of Findlay, OH and his wife Julia. She also leaves behind a great-grandson, Noah Leonard. Her memory will also be treasured by Joanne Pasotti of Menlo Park, CAher best friend for over 80 years. Joy was born in Chicago on St. Nicholas Day, December 6, 1924. She was the only child of Sidney and Zennie Gregersen. Joy was a city girl at heart, her parents lived all over Chicago, and she loved to be surrounded by people and activity. She had a big family on her mother's side and had many aunts, uncles, and cousins. Joy attended Marywood Academy in Chicago and received an outstanding education from the nuns who taught there. She spoke of them for the rest of her life, and how they helped form and shape her into the woman we all knew and loved. Joy was a 1947 graduate of Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism in Evanston, Il. She moved to San Diego, CA for a few years before returning to Chicago where she worked as an editor for a suburban newspaper. In 1950, she met her future husband, Father Upson of St. David's Episcopal Church in Glenview. They married in 1952 and later had Mary and Caroline. In 1958, the family moved to Quincy, Il where Father Upson accepted a call to be rector of St. John's Episcopal Church. Chris was born in 1962 and the family remained in Quincy for 24 years and traveled during the summers to be at the family cottage in Glenn, MI. In 1982, Father and Joy retired in Grand Rapids. Joy worked at a JC Penney call center for many years, and they traveled frequently, visiting many places in Europe and the United States. After her husband's death in 2008, Chris moved in with Joy and along with their cat Keavy, lived together for almost 10 years. Joy and Chris loved to travel and visited Alaska and Europe. She kept busy with her projects and followed sports and politics. When it became time for Joy to enter Assisted Living, she ended up being the go-to person in Trivia and participated in many other activities. The family would like to sincerely thank the entire staff at Clark on Keller Lake for taking such good care of Joy, and for their compassion and patience. Visitation will be at Monday, October 22 at 10:00 a.m. at Grace Episcopal Church in East Grand Rapids (1815 Hall St. SE), with the funeral service at 11:00 a.m. Officiating will be the Rev. Stephen Holmgren, and the homilist will be Father Rock Badgerow. Burial will be in Saugatuck, MI. Memorial contributions can be sent to Right to Life of West Michigan or the Kent County Humane Society. May Joy's Memory be Eternal.