Joy Pitchford, age 67, passed away peacefully after a long illness at her home in Grand Rapids, Michigan on October 1, 2026, surrounded by her family.

The cherished daughter of Walter and Elizabeth Pitchford was born on a stormy night on May 28, 1959, in Chicago, Illinois, the city that she loved.

She was baptized and confirmed at Our Lady of the Snows Church in Chicago, IL.

Joy was a 1977 graduate of St. Francis De Sales High School and briefly attended Chicago State University.

She graduated from Truman Technical College where she successfully completed her training in Cosmetology and Barbering, an industry she always wanted to be a part of. 

Thereafter, she became the proprietor of Friend's Hair and Nails Beauty Salon. Throughout her 30-year career as a Beautician, her world expanded and opened up to welcoming a large variety of strangers who in turn became cherished friends.

The "Shop" as she called it was a gathering place for conversation, entertainment, camaraderie and music.

Joy enjoyed everything cultural; plays, concerts, movies along with the quiet hobbies of reading and flower gardening. But most of all she adored sports such as basketball and football and golf.

Joy will be remembered as a courageous, thoughtful, kind, and caring person whose shining light will never fade.

She leaves a lifetime of precious memories, and she will be dearly missed by her family and friends.

She is survived by her mother, Sarah Elizabeth Pitchford, brother, Walter Pitchford (Elaine), twin sister, Jill Pitchford Owolabi, sister, Amy Pitchford.

Joy leaves behind four nephews and two nieces, three uncles and three aunts, and a host of cousins.