(1930-2021)

Sister Joyce will be missed dearly. She was such a big part of the Lac Vieux Desert community here in Watersmeet, Michigan, [that] we adopted her into our tribe. … She will never be forgotten and the memories will live on forever here at the Lac Vieux Desert community. … [W]e want to thank Sister Joyce for the love and care that she has given all of us. Go to the beautiful place in the sky and be with your creator.

These words are taken from the tribute James Williams, tribal chairman of the Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians, sent to Adrian after the death of Sister Joyce Mary Rybarczyk, who ministered to that community for twenty-seven years and lived among them for more than a decade after her retirement.

Joyce and her twin sister Joan were born in St. Joseph, Michigan, on February 1, 1930, to William and Frances (Blaha) Rybarczyk. William was born into a farming family in the St. Joseph area, while Frances and her family came to St. Joseph from Chicago and became farmers.

The young couple settled in town after marriage, in a house William built after coming home from his military service in World War I, and in time twin boys, Peter and Billy, came into the family. Billy died when still quite young and Peter, who was disabled, was raised by one of the grandmothers.

Read more about Sister Joyce (PDF)

Memorial gifts may be made to Adrian Dominican Sisters, 1257 East Siena Heights Drive, Adrian, Michigan, 49221. 

 

Leave your comments and remembrances (if you don't see the comment box below, click on the "Read More" link).