Jean Ann Boyden, a beautiful woman with a loving heart and vibrant personality, lived 90 full and happy years. Jean lived her life to the fullest, always welcoming new friends and experiences. She loved to sing, laugh, read books to her grandchildren, swim in Lake Michigan, play Bridge with dear friends, walk outdoors, and enjoy her home which she called her "Treehouse" with its view of the woods, ponds, birds, and wildlife. Jean was a member of Mayflower Congregational Church in Grand Rapids and until recently she sang in the choir. She thoroughly enjoyed her memberships in the Psi Chapter of Delta Gamma (University of Michigan); the PEO; and the Steketee Guild of Blodgett Hospital. Jean was born on February 19, 1931 and died March 15, 2021. She lived her entire life in Grand Rapids. She was born Jean Ann Zuiderveld, daughter of Kathryn Ekkens Zuiderveld and Jacob Dykema Zuiderveld. Her brother was the late Jack Zuiderveld of Grand Rapids. Jean married twice, the first time to Kenneth Hugh Johnson who passed on in 1958, and later to Joel Michael Boyden, Sr. who passed on in 1999. Jean is survived by her four children, Jacquelyn Kay Boyden of Grand Rapids; Kathryn Marie Loukas (married to Kane Loukas); of Orrington, ME; Dorothy Elizabeth Pope (married to Graydon Pope) of Marshall, MI; and Joel Michael Boyden, Jr. (fiance, Ashleigh Wilkes) of Columbus, Ohio. She is also survived by her four grandchildren; Jakob Kane Loukas of Burke, VA (married to Carole Joy); Austin Kenneth Loukas of Gouldsboro, ME (married to Alexandra Rose); Angela Marie Boyden of Columbus, OH; and Sally Boyden Elzey of Columbus OH. Jean has three great grandchildren; Kathlyn Heidi Loukas (age 4 and years); Odin Pitonyak Loukas (age19 months); and Theodore Jakob Loukas (age 9 months). Jean is also survived by her close friend and romantic companion of 16 years, Frederick "Bogie" Bogaert. Jean Ann Boyden greeted each day saying "this is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it," and that is how she lived each day. While listening to one of her beloved family members reading the Biblical passage Ruth 1:16-17, Jean shed a single tear, peacefully sighed, and passed gently from this world into God's waiting arms.
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