Joleen Kay Duprey

On Saturday, October 31st, between the open visitation hours 2pm - 6pm, we will be celebrating Joleen’s life in an outdoor setting at O’Brien/Sullivan Funeral Home. Please dress appropriately for the weather. Joleen respected the severity of the coronavirus, and nothing would sadden her more than for someone to contract COVID while we gather. So we are asking for everyone’s help in maintaining physical distance and wearing masks at all times. She knew that a person wearing their mask protects everyone they come in contact with, especially those who are immunocompromised like Joleen. As a family, we want to be clear how much you mean to us. We are crushed. We are so lucky to have so many close family and friends to be with us, and we will need your support today and forever. Please do not be offended if we do not hug. There is a row of parking spaces in the back closest to the tent that will allow for unobstructed viewing from your automobile; please carpool with family members of your same household “bubble”. Individuals or families may take turns with Joleen and her family when they are ready to say their goodbyes. Duprey, Joleen Kay Joleen (aka Jo) Kay Duprey (House) was born May 4, 1952 to Harold and Mary House. Loving and devoted wife of Jay Duprey for 36 years. Proud, loving, and adoring mother of J.P. Duprey II and Troy (Amber) Duprey, and predeceased by her grandchildren Cooper Covington and Lailah Susan. Jo is one of five children with whom she shared extreme closeness all her life - Pam (Robert), Randy (Pam), Valerie (Gary) and Scott (Paty), as well as her nieces and nephews. She was beloved by the extended Duprey family, Ann (Lauri), Jim (Michelle), Jeff, Jon (Karen), Rob, predeceased by Jerome. Joleen passed peacefully with her husband and sons by her side on October 28, 2020. Jo cherished life. Her family and friends were of utmost importance to her. She liked stepping outside the box, trying new things, spontaneity. She was a champion of honesty, constant positivity, having great fun in everything she did, while being compassionate, selfless and kind. Jo injected energy and laughter into life and made it easy to be around her. Her presence was unmatchable. By far, Jo felt her greatest accomplishment in life was her sons J.P. and Troy. They brought her such joy in life and bonded on an almost daily basis with them. Joleen earned her bachelors degree from Central Michigan University and was in Human Resources for many years. She was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis when she was 19. In a time when illness wasn’t mentioned in the workplace without being fearful for your job, she learned to suffer without complaint. She had dozens of surgeries and her family created “Team Joleen” in her honor in the Jingle Bell Run fundraiser to raise money for this cause. Team Joleen became the top fundraiser for many years through the support of family and friends. She did not want her disability to define her, and because of that she taught others to strive to be focused on life; people admired her strength and ability to be brave and persevere. She realized how important it was for all to feel welcome and included, and made a point to speak up for what she believed in, including equal protections for LGBTQ persons, and the disabled through ConnectUS. She saw life as a gift, she cherished every moment, She saw the good in people, and she made it a point to tell you how important to her you were. Let her memory live on through love, kindness, good deeds and the support you pay forward every day in your life. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Joleen’s name to any of the following organizations that she cared deeply about: Arthritis Foundation of Michigan (https://www.arthritis.org/local-offices/mi), Affirmations LGBTQ+ Community Center (https://goaffirmations.org/), Cincinnati Children’s Hospital (https://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/). and ConnectUs https://www.connectusmichigan.org/

Joleen Kay Duprey

May 4, 1952 - October 28, 2020