Joyce Pastoor

Helen Joyce Pastoor, age 91, of Jenison, MI, departed this life in peace and was welcomed into eternal life on Sunday, March 12, 2023. She was a faithful disciple and servant of our Lord Jesus Christ, and she found great contentment in her calling as wife and mother. To view Joyce's funeral service, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/LangelandSterenbergFuneralHome/videos/758049469024404/ Joyce is deeply missed by her children: Rev. Carl & Mary Haak, Everett & Linda Buiter, Jane Woudenberg, and Charles & Jennifer Pastoor. Her memory is blessed to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Mark & Bethany (Haak) Feenstra (Cornelius, Adam, Marcus, & Jacoba), Rev. Jonathan & Keri (Haak) Mahtani (Levi, Shane, Mayla, Ezra, Lyndi, Tressa Joyce, & Abel), Chad & Melanie (Haak) Noorman (Lucas, Zoe, Gwennan, & Carly Joyce), Everett Buiter, Charlie Buiter, Catherine, Ella, Isabelle, Miles, & William Pastoor. She is lovingly remembered by her brothers and sisters-in-law: Bruce Doezema, Loraine Doezema, Don & Judi Doezema, Bill & MaryAnn Doezema, Dave & Marcia Doezema, Thelma Boonstra, and many loving cousins, nephews, and nieces. Joyce rejoices in heaven with her husband of 62 years: Neal Pastoor, parents: Charles and Nellie Doezema, siblings: Cornie and his wife Fran Doezema, Evelyn Peters, Chuck Doezema, and Dorothy Doezema, brothers and sisters-in-law: Ruth Doezema, Robert Pastoor, Carol Pastoor, and Harry Boonstra, and great-granddaughters: Sarita and Wren Feenstra. The family invites friends to visit with them on Friday, March 17, 2023, 10:00 a.m. at Georgetown Protestant Reformed Church (7146 48th Ave., Hudsonville, MI 49426). Funeral Service: immediately following at 11:00 a.m. Interment Service: 2:00 p.m. at Georgetown Cemetery, Hudsonville, MI. Services will be conducted by the Reverends Carl Haak and Jon Mahtani. Neal and Joyce's family thanks Waterford Place staff and residents for blessed friendships while their parents made their home in that community and Emmanuel Hospice for taking loving care of Joyce in her last week. Memorial contributions may be made to Emmanuel Hospice or to a Christian educational cause: Heritage Christian School, Hope Christian School, Adams Christian School or Covenant Christian High School. Born on July 29, 1931 on the family farm in Jamestown, MI, Helen Joyce Doezema was the fourth of nine children. When Joyce was 13, her father died. As a member of a close, hardworking family, she took on responsibility and worked with her brothers to help run the farm. A year later, her 6 year old sister Dorothy fell ill and died of appendicitis. Joyce always tenderly cherished her little sister's memory. The family moved to Grand Rapids in 1947, and Joyce graduated from Grand Rapids Christian High School in 1950 going on to work as a LPN for 9 years at Butterworth Hospital. She was a gentle and skillful caregiver, and her children, grandchildren, and greats can all attest to her nurturing heart. Helen Joyce Doezema married Cornelius Charles Pastoor on July 17, 1959 and was a faithful member in the Protestant Reformed Churches. God blessed their marriage with 4 children: Mary, Linda, Jane, and Charles. Joyce poured herself into the art of homemaking. She embraced her work as wife and mother and excelled in caring for her family. She reared her children diligently and encouraged them to pursue excellence in academics and music. Joyce faithfully taught her children Bible stories and made catechism and Sunday school a priority in their learning. When God blessed Neal and Joyce with grandchildren and later great-grandchildren, she poured her love over them and delighted in each new member of her family. After leaving their home in SE Grand Rapids in 2014, Neal and Joyce enjoyed their life and friendships at Waterford Place in Jenison. After her beloved husband went home to Glory last year, Joyce's final year, weeks, and hours were marked by deep contentment, patience, and peace in God's perfect will for her. She could truly say, “Lord, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me. Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child. Let Israel hope in the LORD From henceforth and for ever.” Psalm 131 Joyce's family sees her faithful service as an expression of love to them and to her Savior. We rise up and call her blessed!

Tributes

Joyce Pastoor

July 29, 1931 - March 12, 2023