With faith in God’s eternal promise, we announce that our cherished mother and grandmother, Joyce Joan Boudrie, peacefully entered into His loving embrace on Tuesday, April 29, 2025.
Joyce Joan Cooley, who became lovingly known as “Tootsie” or “Toot” was born on August 13, 1937, in Dundee, Michigan. She was one of seven children born to the union of Harry Cooley and Sylvia (Bolster) Cooley. She spent her formative years in Dundee attending Dundee Community Schools.
On June 27, 1959, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Monroe, Michigan she married Thomas Boudrie and together the couple was blessed with three daughters and a son. Joyce’s children were her world, and because of that, she embraced her role as a homemaker with unmatched devotion. Her warm and nurturing spirit shaped a household that was always full of love. In 1969, Joyce and Thomas built their family home on eight acres where they raised pigs, cows, chickens, ducks, and horses.
Joyce loved to spend time on her porch swing “people watching” as she would call it, as people walked by, and listening to the birds chirp. She also had a special gift for gardening, She loved to be outside tending to her flowers, especially her red impatiens. She was an exceptional cook, always ready to prepare a meal for the family. Whether she was whipping up her amazing spaghetti, her famous mashed potatoes or starting the day off with a hearty breakfast consisting of sunny side-up eggs, bacon, sausage and buttered toast; she was not letting you leave hungry. If one of her grandchildren called to come over, she would instantly start cooking in the kitchen.
As a woman of sweetness, nurturing love and patience (her family would say she was the most patient person there was). Joyce was the heart of her family and treasured each moment she spent with them. She not only loved her grandchildren, but she held a unique bond with each of them. She earned the nickname “Grandma Tootie”, from her great-grandchildren, which she held proudly. She would watch her grandchildren every day during summer vacation, taking them to Vince’s for chili dogs and fries, followed by ice cream at Independent Dairy, and hours of playing the card game “Uno”. She also had a special bond with her sisters, often referring to them as her best friends.
Joyce Joan Boudrie, age 87 of Monroe, passed away peacefully on Tuesday; April 29, 2025, at Wellspring Lutheran Services surrounded by her loving family. Her passing was preceded by her parents: Harry and Sylvia Cooley; a brother: Robert “Bob” Cooley; a sister: Margaret “Margie” Gera; a sister in infancy: Charlotte Cooley; sister-in-law: Dixie Matteson and brother-in-law: Robert “Bob” Boudrie.
Joyce leaves behind a legacy of love and family. She is survived by her three daughters; Jeannie (Bradley) Ansel of Jerome, Michigan, Joannie (Robert) Pearson of Fort Myers, Florida, and Julie Boudrie of Monroe; a son: Thomas (Cheryl) Boudrie of Monroe; three sisters: Evelyn Harmon, Judith (Hal) Brockman, and Patricia Boudrie; a sister-in-law: Juanita Cooley; seven grandchildren: Brandon Ansel, Brock (Stacy) Ansel, Tyler Boudrie, Tayler Ansel (Nic Mangat), Kaileigh Boudrie (Anthony Spinale), Tristan (Jenna) Boudrie, and Callie Boudrie (Matthieu Braem); and fifteen great grandchildren: Nicholas, Ashtyn, Emersyn, Teagan, Dekker, Owen, Greer, Jayce, Luca, Rocco, Vayda, Lauren, Enzo, Elwood, and Leighton.
The Boudrie family wishes to express their gratitude to Joyce’s caregivers; Shelby Carroll, Stephanie Grycza, and Jacara London for all the love and exceptional care given to their mother during her stay at Wellsprings and Joshua McLusky from Heartland Hospice.
Friends may gather from 10:00am until 12:00pm on Friday; May 9, 2025, at Merkle Funeral Service, South Monroe, 14567 South Dixie Highway, Monroe, Michigan 48161 (734) 241-7070. A Celebration of Joyce’s Life will begin at 12:00pm also at Merkle’s. A procession will follow to St. Joseph Cemetery in Monroe, Michigan for burial.
Online guests may leave words of inspiration and comfort or share a photo by visiting www.merklefs.com.
