Joy Cote

Joy Cote’, age 91, of Holland passed away Thursday, January 16, 2019.

Raised in Bay City at Lagoon Beach, Joy grew up sailing, fishing and hunting with her dad. She went on to study business at Western Michigan University. She was primarily a self-taught artist who developed a notable local reputation. Joy enjoyed painting annual Christmas cards that were sent to a long list of friends and relatives for many years. She was a prolific painter and many of her paintings are hanging in the homes of friends and relatives as well at Resthaven Warm Friend senior living center in downtown Holland. She continued painting well into her 80’s. She was a member of Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church. She was an active member of the Holland Garden Club for many years and won several ribbons for her arrangements. She owned and operated a shop in downtown Holland called Up A Tree, in the 1970’s and 80’s where she sold locally handcrafted goods and Dutch costumes. She lived on the shore of Lake Michigan for 40 years and enjoyed being a member of the Macatawa Bay Yacht Club and racing sailboats at the club. Joy served with Jack for many years to save the Holland Harbor Lighthouse, “Big Red” from demolition and eventually helped to establish it as a permanent historical site.

Joy was preceded in death by her husband, John “Jack” Cote’ in 2015; brother, and Bruce Van Dyke.

She is survived by her five sons, Michael “Mike”, Brian (Sally), Ladd, James (Joanne), Brent (Blanca); 13 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; sisters, Betty Metzler, and Mary (August) Overway along with many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Visitation will be 7-9 pm Friday at the Dykstra Funeral Home-Mulder Chapel, 188 West 32nd Street and 10- 11 am Saturday prior to the service at the church.

Funeral services will be 11 am at Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church, 3151 120th Avenue, with Pastor George Hamilton officiating.

Burial will be in Pilgrim Home Cemetery.

The family would like to thank Resthaven for the tremendous love and care which she enjoyed in her later years.

Memorial contributions may be made to Resthaven Care Center.