Joan Way

In March of this year we found out Grandma Jo, known to others as Joan Elizabeth (Brumm) Way, had stage four colon cancer.  Like so many previous winter seasons, she had family visiting with her in Lakeland, Florida where she and late husband D. Dawson Way wintered for 28 years at Sanlan Ranch, meeting friends from around the U.S. and Canada and always inviting the kids and grandkids to come and stay.

It was here her surgery and care began and continued at her home in Charlevoix until she transitioned from this life on earth to be with her Lord and Savior.  On Sunday, August 28, 2016, she entered her home in Heaven, the “imperishable and unfading inheritance kept for her” (1 Peter 1:4) because of her faith in the saving work of Jesus Christ.

The care which began in Florida was continued by her children: daughter Sandy and husband Wayne Boss, daughter Sue and husband Mike Boss, son Mike Way and wife Chris, son Barney Way and wife Kris , and daughter Stacy and husband Don Armbrester at her home in Charlevoix, Michigan fondly known as “The Lake.” (Special care was also given by granddaughter Courtney (19) who is continuing her education as a nurse caregiver and had her first patient in Grandma Jo!)

It was at the Lake that we gathered as a family once again, this summer like so many before, to enjoy the time we had left with Grandma Jo.  It was a summer filled with memories, family, and of course food because anyone who knew Grandma Jo knows she had a way with food.  From her always-full pantry, she could whip up a meal to feed dozens whether she knew they were coming or not, and let’s be honest, anyone who knew Grandpa Dawson knows Grandma probably rarely knew who Grandpa would bring home with him.  Never fazed, Grandma somehow always managed to have enough to pull together another delicious meal.  She exuded hospitality.

Over such meals and memories we remembered the details of Grandma’s life, born in Fremont, Michigan on March 24, 1930 daughter to Howard and Lela Brumm.  Known as “Pickles” to some of her schoolmates, she graduated from Charlevoix High School and later served 12 years in the Charlevoix County Clerk’s office.  She married Dawson Way July 14, 1951, and they devoted their life together to family, friends and fellowship stemming from their love for their Savior and Lord Jesus Christ.  They also served as members of the Charlevoix Assembly of God church and were active with a local Gideons chapter.  Grandma and Grandpa loved people and enjoyed taking others for boat rides on their boat the “Salty Pepper”.

This July we gathered together, her children (5) and their spouses, grandchildren (21) and their spouses and great grandchildren (22), (62 in all) for one more Way family picture.  We did what we grew up doing: playing, eating, talking, and being together as family while Grandma rested in her chair, ever the quiet observer delighting in the commotion around her.

As the summer days wore on, her 86-year-old, ailing body continued to fail.  As she slowed and gazed out the front windows, watching the birds visit her feeders as she so often enjoyed doing, we loved her and prayed for her and cared for her the way she lived her life caring for others.  Her surviving family members including sister Nita (Brumm) Clarkson and her husband Duncan Clarkson of Ludington, Michigan have full assurance that in her death she rejoices in the presence of Christ the King joining husband Dawson who passed in 2009.  Joan is also predeceased by granddaughter Kari Anne Way (2015) and great grandson Noah M. Boss (2015) and brother Norman Brumm (2008).

The remembrance of Joan’s life will continue as her son, pastor Mike Way officiates her life celebration service to be held at Center Point Assembly of God in Charlevoix, Michigan on Friday, September 2 at 11:00 A.M.  The visitation will be held at the Center Point Assembly on Thursday, September 1 from 4:00-6:00 P.M. and 7:00-9:00 P.M. Memorial donations may be made to the Dawson and Joan Way Memorial fund at Center Point Assembly or to Hospice of Northwest Michigan.  The family would like to extend a sincere thank you for the great care Joan received from Hospice of Northwest Michigan.

Grandma Jo’s heart-cry and last hope was to see her family live for Jesus.  She prayed for her family daily, and while we will miss those prayers she so faithfully lifted up on our behalf, we rejoice with her as she has “fought the good fight, finished the race, kept the faith, and is receiving the crown of righteousness, which the Lord has laid up” for her (2 Timothy 4: 7-8).