Wanda June Foy

Wanda June (Michael) Foy, devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Wednesday, August 16, 2023. Age 88 years.

Wanda was born on March 14, 1935 in Merrill, Michigan, daughter of the late William and Emma (Dubay) Michael. She graduated from Merrill Sacred Heart with the class of 1953. Wanda was one of the first female bus drivers for the Merrill Community Schools. She can be fondly remembered for her infamous "silent runs." Over the years, many new bus drivers were mentored and trained by Wanda. Later in her career, Wanda became the supervisor of the transportation and custodial services. While in this position, the school system benefited from many grants written by Wanda.

Wanda married the love of her life, Thomas (Tom Cat) Foy on February 20, 1954. He predeceased her in 2019. They enjoyed 65 years of marriage. Surviving are their six children; Pam (David) Zeitler, Mike (Shelly) Foy, Mark (Holly) Foy, Lou Ann (Steve) Wagoner, Bill (Michelle) Foy, and Lisa (Brian) Fleming.

An integral part of Wanda's life was being so proud of her 17 grandchildren; Brian Zeitler, April (Terri) Mullen, Michael (Melissa) Foy, Samantha Foy, Patrick Foy, Krysten (Scott) Crowl, Andrew (Sabrina) Foy, Julie (Justin) Miles, Kimberly (Drew) Garno, Marcus (Hayley) Newvine, Jennifer McGill, Hannah (Connor Freel) Foy, Jake Fleming, Alex Fleming, Ben Fleming, Nathan Wagoner, and Spencer Wagoner.

Wanda was also blessed with 15 great-grandchildren; Grace, Natalie, and Paige Mullen, Peyton and Michael Thomas Foy III, Gabe, Bryce, and Jack Crowl, Jada and Jenna Miles, Gwen, Gavyn, and Griffin Garno, Zachary Newvine, and Henry Huffman.

Wanda loved taking trips to the casino with her family and friends. All of her grandchildren have fun stories of their first trip to the casino with Grandma Wanda on their 18th birthday. Especially at Christmas time, Wanda will be fondly remembered for her Christmas spirit; her peanut butter balls, Christmas cookies, her thoughtful decorations, and her Christmas music. Wanda was a self-proclaimed match-maker who was always willing to "shake the bushes" for her grandchildren. There is not a child or grandchild of Wanda who does not have a story of her coming to their defense in any number of situations, making her the ultimate "mama bear."

Also surviving Wanda are her life-long best friends, her brother and sister-in-law Robert (Bookie) and Mary Jane Michael, sisters-in-law Louise Wardin, Shirley Cates, Jackie Foye, and Judy Foye.

She was predeceased by great-granddaughter Julia Mullen, brothers William and Kenneth Michael, sisters Veronica Breasbois, Rhea Erway, Lucille Sampson, and Grace Brown. Sisters and brothers-in-law Harold and Lois Foy, Mary Jean and James Foye, Kenneth and Virginia Michael, William and Frances Michael, Duane Foye, Donald Foye, Melvin Wardin, Donald Cates, Lloyd Brown, Joseph Sampson, and Charles Erway.

Memorial Liturgy will take place celebrating Wanda's life at 12 o'clock on Friday August 25, 2023 at St. John XXIII Parish, Sacred Heart Church, 419 South Midland Street, Merrill. Rev. Fr. Michael F. Steltenkamp, S.J. will officiate. Friends may visit with the family before the service, beginning at 9:30 a.m. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider St. John XXII Parish, Sacred Heart Church, American Hospice or New Hope Valley Assisted Living Facility. Wanda's family deeply appreciates the care that she received from New Hope Valley and American Hospice, as together they helped her on her journey at the end of her life. A special thank you to her hospice nurses, Evie, Rachel, and Eva. Also deeply appreciated are her caregivers Marissa, V, Courtney, Judy, and Erriesha.