Joyce Marie Schulien
February 6, 1935 - August 11, 2023

Joyce Marie Schulien passed away on August 11th at the age of 88 after a long battle with dementia. Joyce was born on February 6, 1935, in Detroit, MI to Jay Rixie and Genevieve Doyle. Joyce is predeceased by her husband of 64 years, Albert, her twin brother James Rixie, and sister Marilyn Brown.

Joyce Rixie met Albert Schulien at a youth group meeting, and they were married on May 23, 1959 at Christ the King Catholic Church in Detroit, MI.

After living in Elgin, Illinois for several years, Al and Joyce moved to Randolph, New Jersey in 1974 and spent the next 20 years working and raising their children, participating as active members of Resurrection Parish, enjoying their neighbors who became like family to them, and vacationing on Long Beach Island and traveling the world with dear friends.

In 1993, a job opportunity brought Al and Joyce back home to the Midwest where they settled in Mason, Michigan. There they fell in love with the town of Mason, their community, and the historic home of their dreams, The John Rayner House which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The pride they had in carrying on the history of this 182-year-old home was known to all and they took every opportunity to share it with the community during historic home tours, as well as with their family and friends at their annual 4th of July celebration.

Joyce worked as an Administrative Assistant at Horizon Bank, Morristown Memorial Hospital and finally at Vision Real Estate in Mason, MI when she finally retired.

Joyce was a very active member of the Holy Angels Mason Knights of Columbus at St. James Church by her husband's side for many years and contributed to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital each and every year without fail. She loved to read, tag sale and had a gift both for decorating her home (family referring to her as "Martha") and her love of children. She made each and every person she came in contact with feel special with her gentle, giving spirit and huge heart.

After her husband's passing in 2022, she spent the last year surrounded by the most wonderful and loving community at Maplewood of Newtown, supported and loved by her RVNA aids and carried through this difficult process with loving support from Regional Hospice. We are eternally grateful to everyone who made her feel as special as she made those around her feel.

Joyce is survived by her son Timothy Schulien (Arin Lowe) of Durham, North Carolina, daughter Amy Smith (Brian) of Sherman, Connecticut, three beautiful granddaughters Madalyn, Kathryn and Elliott, many loving cousins, nieces, and nephews who lovingly called her "AJ" and great nieces and nephews.

Visitation and viewing will take place on Saturday, August 19th at 10:30 AM at The Church of the Holy Family, 24505 Meadowbrook Rd, Novi, Michigan 48375, followed by a funeral mass at 11:00 am. Burial will be in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Southfield, Michigan.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Joyce's honor to Maplewood Senior Living HEART Foundation, 166 Mount Pleasant Rd, Newtown, CT 06470, RVNA Health https://rvnahealth.org/or St Jude's Children's Research Hospital www.stjude.org .

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