Our dear mother Joyce (Joy) Mae Kent (Gilson), 93, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 19, 2023 in Grand Rapids. Joy was born July 17, 1929 in Paris Township, Michigan, to Jacob C. and Mae (Richards) Gilson. Joy married our father Mack Kent in June 1947, who preceded her in death in 2001. Joy was very outgoing and loved to laugh. She loved her family to bits. She was always there for us.
She was also predeceased by her brothers Lester and Ivan Gilson, her son, Kevin (Amy) Kent, and grandson, R. Douglas Burchett.
Joy is survived by her daughter Patricia Kent of Grand Rapids, son Michael (Denise) Kent of Mt. Pleasant, daughter Claudia (Joel) Mills of Grand Rapids, daughter-in-law Amy (Kevin) Kent of Kentwood, son Dennis Kent and sister-in-law Darci Gale of Ohio; her grandchildren Kimberly (Todd) Campbell, Kelli Kent, Robert (Tara) Richardson III, Shannon (Brent Daniels) Richardson, Joshua (Jenny) Richardson, William Kent, and Grace Kent, nine great-grandchildren, many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Joy will be interred at Grandville Cemetery during a private ceremony. A celebration of her life is planned for Sunday, July 16, 2023, details to follow.