Joy A. Slaughter Died July 3, 2016

Joy Annette Slaughter

Died July 3, 2016

TRAVERSE CITY – Joy Annette Slaughter, 85, of Traverse City, died Sunday, July 3, 2016.

  Joy was born on Feb. 25, 1931 in California, the daughter of Benny McLaren and Willa Leola Campbell.  She was raised in Detroit, where she graduated from Cooley High School, and Wayne State University.  In 1952, she married Robert Lee Slaughter in Detroit, after meeting years earlier at a church youth group.

  She briefly taught English in Detroit Public Schools, and later worked for many years as a Teacher’s Assistant at Northville Public Schools, where she was dedicated to her work with developmentally disabled young people.  Joy and Bob raised their daughters in Livonia, Michigan, and later fulfilled a dream by moving “up north” for their retirement.

  Joy is survived by her daughter, Laura Slaughter (Don Hartwig), and granddaughter, Sarah Rae S. Hartwig.  She was preceded in death by her husband Robert, in March of 2002, and by her daughter, Carol, in June of 2009.

  Joy lost her mother at an early age, after being a loving caretaker to her through her long illnesses.  Joy herself, struggled with many serious health issues throughout her life, and was able to recover and rebound repeatedly, with amazing resilience.   Joy taught her children to read and write at an early age, and also spent many happy hours playing with, and reading to her young granddaughter.

  She loved music, and took her daughters to see many concerts (the Beatles!), and supported Laura in her musical endeavors in high school.  She loved her pets, and mourned being without an animal companion in her final years. Joy and Bob took their children on wonderful vacations, and enjoyed many weekends in northern Michigan while Bob was deer hunting, and Joy and daughters looked for rocks along the water, or autumn leaves in the woods.

  She will be remembered for her appreciation of art, music and books, her quick wit, and her resilience.

  A memorial service will be held on Sunday, July 10, 2016 at 1 p.m. at the Martinson Funeral Home of Suttons Bay with visitation one hour prior to the service.  The family is grateful to Rabbi Chava Bahle, who will officiate.  A luncheon will follow the memorial service, also at the funeral home.  Joy will be buried at a later date, alongside her late husband and daughter at Pioneer Cemetery, National City, MI. 

  Memorials may be directed to the Cherryland Humane Society. 1750 Ahlberg Road, Traverse City, MI 49686.

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