Joan C Bailey

Joan Carol (Bosca) Bailey, age 82, of Portage, Michigan, passed away on July 9, 2025, at Rose Arbor Place, after an extended illness.

Joan was born in Detroit, Michigan to the late William H. and Margaret M. Bosca on February 15, 1943, the eldest of their five children and a gifted soprano. She loved performing as a young girl at festivals, church liturgies, and family gatherings. She went on to study music education at Eastern Michigan University where she met her handsome tenor, Jack Douglas Bailey. They met when they were cast as leads in Amahl and the Night Visitors for a university production but that was only the beginning. They sang in community and church choirs, weddings, funerals, and additional theater productions. Joan was a member of St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church; singing in the choir and as a cantor.

However, family was the center of Joan’s life. Not only was she a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother but she was a fun-loving sister, aunt, and cousin. Joan is survived by Jack; they recently celebrated 60 years of marriage on June 19, 2025. Over that time, they welcomed three daughters; Jennifer Suzanne (Gregory), Jacqueline Michelle (Kenny), and Jessica Lauren and a son; John Matthew (Margaret). They were also blessed with 7 grandchildren; Ciara (Chad) Wellman, Michael Watts, Antonin Fusco, Dominic Fusco, Evan Watts, Francesca Fusco, and Joseph Fusco as well as 3 great grandchildren; Ariana Wellman, Roman Wellman, and Alia Wellman. She has many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Their married life included many adventures with numerous trips within the U.S. and abroad. However, her favorite memories were the ski trips to the Alps she organized for many years. She was an avid downhill skier; volunteering with the ski patrol and then working in marketing and promotion at Timber Ridge Ski Area for years. She loved the snow and often said, “there is no such thing as bad weather just poor apparel choices.” She taught all four of her kids to ski and all of her grandchildren as well. In the summer, she passed the warm months with waterskiing, golf, and tennis. She followed in her parents’ footsteps as a diehard Detroit Tigers fan as well.

As only the second generation in her family born in the United States, Joan was proud of her Italian heritage and often expressed it through delicious Italian meals. Her siblings included Patricia (Bob), Margo (Joe), Lauren (Bob), and Bill. She also was active in the Italian Sons and Daughters of America organization in Kalamazoo for many years.

Please join us at a Life Story Visitation on Sunday July 20th from 3-5 pm at Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo (269) 375-2900. A Rosary will be held at 5 pm. Joan’s celebration of life will be at a funeral mass on July 21, 2025 at 11:00 am at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, 1150 W Centre Avenue, Portage, MI 49024. The family will receive friends one hour prior to Mass. She will be buried at Mt. Olivet Catholic Cemetery, 2003 Mt. Olivet Road, Kalamazoo, MI 49004. Celebrate Joan’s life online by sharing your favorite stories and photos on her dedicated webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com.