Joyce Grainger

1929 - 2021

Joyce Grainger

Joyce (McCreery) Krause Grainger, age 91, passed away in her home from complications of a stroke on January 31, 2021. She was born on March 28, 1929, in Toledo, Ohio, the only child of King and Irene E. (Stevens) McCreery, Jr. She was a lifelong asthmatic and had not been expected to live past the age of twelve. Except for a few years when she lived in Seattle, Washington, Joyce was a lifelong resident of the Toledo area.

During summers in high school and college, Joyce was a camp counselor and waterfront director at Camp Newaygo in Newaygo, Michigan. These experiences were among her fondest memories. After graduating from Scott High School, she attended Bowling Green State University and received a degree in Education. She was a member of the Delta Gamma Sorority, as well as Swan Club (synchronized swimming), and kept in touch with her sorority sisters and Swan Club members throughout her life.

For her first job, Joyce moved to Seattle, Washington to teach High School physical education. While living in Seattle she met and married her first husband, Fred W. Krause. Choosing to live near family, they settled in Toledo where they had three daughters. After their divorce, Joyce took a position teaching Special Education with the Sylvania City School District. She then attained her Masters Degree in Education and taught Special Education at Whitmer High School in the Washington Local School District until her retirement.

After retiring, Joyce was active going to water aerobics several times a week, delivered meals for Mobile Meals of Toledo until age 90, volunteered at Crosby Gardens, and was involved in anything that caught her interest.

In 1981, she married Glen W. Grainger. They enjoyed 24 years together in their home on the Maumee River and Joyce continued to live there after his death. Every year Joyce looked forward to spending summers with family at a cottage on Little Traverse Lake in the Leelanau peninsula in northern Michigan.

Joyce was predeceased by her parents; and husband, Glen. Surviving her are her children, Amy (Steve) Danforth, Julie Achenbach, Sara (Greg) Smith; step-daughters, Claudia (Rich) Schroeder, and Diane (Paul) Hanslik; grandchildren, Justin (Shelly) Danforth, Lindsey Danforth (Kris Larsen), Kyler Achenbach, Kendra (Matt) Warner, Lucas Gross, and Alex Gross; step-grandchildren, Mattie (Zach) Scheuer, Tyler (Kerry) Smith, and Hudson Smith; and step great-grandchildren, Daniel, Maddie, and Lenny. She had many friends and will be missed by all who knew her. Joyce described herself as 'an uncomplicated woman with a quick sense of humor'.

The family wishes to thank Ohio Living Hospice and nurse Julie Lauer. They also wish to thank caregivers Roberta Perry, Anna Brown, and Jessica Sexton for their compassionate care. Services will be private due to COVID restrictions.

Tributes to Joyce may be made to: Camp Newaygo, 533 S. Centerline Rd. Newaygo, MI 49337 (campnewaygo.org); Leelanau Conservancy, 105 1st. St. Leland, MI 49654 (leelanauconservancy.org); Ohio Living Hospice, 1730 S. Reynolds Rd. Toledo, Ohio 43614 (Ohioliving.org): Mobile Meals of Toledo, 2200 Jefferson Ave., Toledo, Ohio 43604 (mobilemeals.org).