Joyce M. Budish

Joyce M. Budish (née Dobs)

January 27, 1931 – December 8, 2025

Joyce M. Budish, age 94, of Franklin, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on December 8, 2025. Born on January 27, 1931, in Milwaukee, she was married to her beloved husband, Robert, for 62 years until his passing in 2015. Together they built a life filled with love, laughter, and adventure.

She was the youngest child of her family and the last of her generation, preceded in death by her siblings Harold, Ruth (Graczyk), and Bill.

Joyce is survived by her loving daughter Jane Desormey (David Baumgarten), cherished grandchildren Dana Harvey (Bob) and Keith Desormey, and much loved great-grandchildren Elise and Allison. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews, especially Debby Dobs, who provided never ending assistance in Joyce’s later years.

In her early years, Joyce worked as a waitress at the South Shore Yacht Club before dedicating many years of service as both a teacher aide and secretary for Milwaukee Public Schools. She was deeply devoted to her family, always present to support her daughter and grandchildren. Known in her neighborhood for her “famous” flag cake at July 4th celebrations, Joyce brought sweetness and joy to those around her.

After retirement, Joyce and Robert enjoyed traveling together, especially to Las Vegas and throughout the United States with neighborhood friends. She treasured family trips to the Northwoods and later broadened her horizons with journeys to the Caribbean, Canada, Europe, and Australia with her daughter Jane, embracing each adventure with enthusiasm.

In her later years, Joyce joined the New Perspectives community in Franklin, WI, where she developed a new circle of friends and was cared for by attentive and kind staff who were always there for her.

Joyce was a lifetime member of Grace Lutheran Church in Milwaukee, where her faith and community were central to her life. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests memorials be directed to Grace Lutheran Church (3030 W. Oklahoma Ave, Milwaukee, WI) or to Blood Cancer United (bloodcancerunited.org).

A Celebration of Life will be held in January 2026, with details to follow.