Josephine Polcyn, of Highland, Michigan, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend, passed into eternal life at her home on Monday afternoon, March 20, 2023, one day following her 96th birthday. Josephine celebrated her birthday with her family on Saturday and Sunday enjoying her children's company, great food and yummy desserts.

Josephine was born March 19, 1927, in Detroit, to the late Jesus (John) Flores and Barbara (Turkowski). Sadly, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Michael (Mikey) in 1986, a daughter, Jennifer Polcyn in 1975, a grandson, Robert Feisel, in 2020, and brothers, John (wife, Evangelina), Pablo (wife, Lola), as well as her sister, Cecilia.

Surviving are devoted children, Sandra White, Michele (husband, Frank) Montour, Vicki (husband, Bob) Feisel, Michael (wife, Pam) Polcyn, and Brian (wife, Julia) Polcyn; fifteen grandchildren; eighteen great-grandchildren; and brothers, Jesus (wife, Consuelo), Manuel (wife, Maria), and her sister, Martha.

Josephine lived an adventurous life. She was born in Detroit and when she was 3 years old, her family (her Dad, her Mom, and little brother, Johnny) moved to Mexico to be with her father's family in Mexico City, Mexico. Jesus obtained a job in weight and measures. She had fond memories of her grandmother and her cousins. Josephine's family has years of memories traveling to Mexico to see the lifestyle and culture she grew up in. Her family knows that connection will continue for generations.

Josephine came back to Detroit with her mother and brother at the age of 16. She did not know any English but learned quickly. She worked bagging chips at New Era (Frito-Lay) and then landed a job in the accounting department where she always balanced her accounts, doing them by hand all while counting in Spanish!

During World War II, all the girls carried pictures of young servicemen and called them their boyfriends. Josephine saw a picture of Mike that her girlfriend had, and asked her for it. She now had a picture of a serviceman and she called him her boyfriend. She carried this picture for over a year. When Mike came home from the service, the same girlfriend had a picture of Josephine and when Mike saw it, he wanted to meet her, not knowing that he was her "boyfriend" for the last year. They were set up on a blind date and when they met for the first time in person, that was it. They were married in 1949 and were married for almost 37 years before Mike passed away.

They raised their family in Berkley and in Farmington Hills where they built their first house. Mike worked two jobs and Josephine was the contractor. They raised their family and eventually built two more houses, the last one in Howell, Michigan. Josephine aspired to always continue to learn new things. She attended a special couture education course with "Madame." Josephine mastered the techniques used in the high fashion houses of Paris. Josephine graduated with a certificate that was equivalent to 6 college credit hours at Wayne State University. She went on to make custom clothing for private clients along with her daughters (and granddaughters) prom, graduation and wedding gowns. She even made a tuxedo for her son, Michael. Josephine influenced her daughter Sandy and taught her many basic skills at a young age. Sandy would go on to study fashion in college and has taught high fashion design at Kent State University.

When Mike retired, they opened a fabric store in Highland for a few years, but after Mike passed the store closed and Josephine opened an alteration shop in downtown Brighton which she eventually moved to downtown Milford.

Mike and Josephine were able to do some traveling together, but Josephine's real world travels started when she was a widow. Josephine went all over the world: Italy, Spain, France, Yugoslavia, Poland, Egypt, Jerusalem, China, New Zealand, Australia, Argentina, and Brazil just to name a few. When things slowed down in her life, she became active in her church. She joined the Women's Club (was the treasurer) and the Quilt Ministry, and always made homemade bread for the bake sales which sold before it could even be put on the table. Josephine hosted the block parties and one great Halloween party to keep in touch with her neighbors. She made many friends of her own and was beloved even by the friends of her children and grandchildren. She will be missed by many.

Over the upcoming days and beyond there will be many stories to tell of the connection that she had with everyone she met.

Her family would like to thank all who met her and were so kind to her all her life. She had a smile and a hug for all. Please tell the stories and keep her memory alive.

Family and friends may gather at the Heeney-Sundquist Funeral Home, downtown Farmington, for visitation on Thursday, March 30, from 2-8 pm.  The rosary will be prayed at 7:00 pm.

Click HERE to watch the Wake Service

Josephine's funeral mass will be celebrated Friday morning, March 31, at 10:00 am (in state at 9:30 am) at the Church of the Holy Spirit, 3700 Harvey Lake Road in Highland.

Click HERE to watch the Eulogy

Click HERE to watch the Funeral Mass

Concluding prayers will immediately follow at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Southfield (no motorcade).

Click HERE to watch the Cemetery Prayers

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are appreciated to the Quilt Ministry at Holy Spirit Church .

Kindly keep Josephine and her family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.