Joyce E. Whittaker

Joyce E. Whittaker, RNC, BSN, MA, 84, of Laguna Woods, CA, formerly of Detroit and Grosse Pointe, MI died Monday, March 20, 2017 at Kindred Hospital in Westminster, CA with her sister and brother at her side. Born on May 25, 1932 in Detroit, MI, she was the daughter of the late Alfred Heacock Whittaker, M.D. and Margaret Elizabeth (Evans) Whittaker. Joyce attended Grosse Pointe Country Day School and graduated from The Masters School in Dobbs Ferry, N.Y. and Ohio State University where she earned a combined nursing and liberal arts degree, then interned at Harper Hospital in Detroit. In 1966 she relocated to Bay City, MI where she became a professor of Nursing and taught at the Delta College, University Center until she retired in 1995. She volunteered in the Bay County geriatric community, and soon became her family mentor on all things medical. In 1996, Joyce moved to Laguna Woods Village, CA, where she volunteered at the South County Outreach Project and Upscale Resale Organization. She also collected books to donate to the Laguna Woods Village Library.

Preceded in death by her Brother: Alfred Evans Whittaker in 2012; Sister: Jeanne Evans Whittaker Hines in 2009.

Survived by her Sister: Hilary Evans Whittaker of Laguna Woods, CA; Brother: James E. Whittaker of Las Vegas, NV; three nieces and a nephew.

She had close lifelong relationships in Bay City with sisters Jacquelyn Bigford Van Guilder, her God-Daughter, and Ann Bigford Sullivan.

Graveside Memorial Service will be held at 12:00 P.M. on Saturday, June 17, 2017 in Fairmount Cemetery in Camden with Rev. Sara Palmer officiating.

Condolences may be sent to the family via the Web site at www.barnesfuneralhome.com