Doris Joan Ulrich

Doris Joan Ulrich

Age 85, of Northville, passed away on October 2, 2022. She was born on December 13, 1936 in Dearborn, Michigan; daughter of Cecil Wayne and Doris (McBain) Barrows. Joan graduated from Dearborn High School, class of 1953. She attended Henry Ford Community College. Joan was united in marriage to Phillip G. Ulrich on August 17, 1957; dedicated to their love for over 65 years.

Throughout her lifetime Joan has lived in many different places, including Mexico, Kentucky, Georgia, Chicago, and Arizona. She made all these places her home and learned to appreciate different aspects of where she lived. In addition, Joan loved to travel. Joan toured Hawaii with Phillip, enjoyed many family ski vacations at Crystal Mountain, as well a trip to Lake Tahoe; took the whole family on an Alaskan cruise; and enjoyed many yearly vacation trips with her siblings. Her Dutch ancestry influenced her love of tulips and enhanced her trips to Holland where she admired the beautiful flowers during the Tulip Festival. Her high school graduation gift to her daughter was to travel through 14 European countries along with lifetime friends, Joanne and Diane Kozlow.

In addition to the challenging job of being a homemaker, Joan also spent her time after high school graduation working as a File Clerk with Ford Motor Company. It was at Ford, where she gave a young, dashing, engineer named Phillip, a copy of a part number drawing and her hand in marriage. Once her children had grown, she began working at Hudson’s as a sales clerk, but quickly worked her way up into the Human Resource department as a result of her tremendous organizational skills and people person qualities.

Before beginning their family Joan and her husband enjoyed taking dance lessons, playing on bowling leagues, and playing Pinochle. Joan had a talent for words and, also loved playing Scrabble and, later, Words with Friends online. Joan kept an immaculate home and had a keen eye for decorating and fashion. One of her favorite activities was hosting special events and holiday celebrations. The parties she organized were impressive; her social personality heightened the celebrations. Derby parties were among Joan’s favorite, as was the triple crown winner, Secretariat, and her signature drink, a mint julep.

She was an adventurous, unique, and fun-loving woman. Shopping with her sisters and friends in New York City and Chicago added to her life of adventure and her shopping dreams. While living in Arizona, Joan liked golfing with friends and won many birdie, eagle, and even a few hole in one pins with her Putters group. Growing up she spent family vacations with her aunts, uncles, and cousins at her parent’s family cottage in Lake City. They would swim in Lake Missaukee during the summer and snowmobile in the winter. This tradition continued once she married and had her own children until the Lake City cottage was sold. Joan wanted to continue the fun had up north with her children and grandchildren, so she and Phil purchased a cottage on Lake James in Prudenville. All the family members learned how to water ski while Joan watched and cheered them on from shore. She was an understanding wife, supportive mom, and loving grandmother. She loved life to the fullest and made the most of every new adventure. She will be deeply missed by all who loved her.

Joan is survived by her husband Phillip; her children, David Ulrich, John (Kate) Ulrich, and Julie (Chris) Warum; her siblings, Garth Barrows, Linda (Al) Eger, and John (Jan) Barrows; her grandchildren, Clayton (Katie), Michael, Kelly, Ethan, Zachary, and Jane; and her great grandson Greyson. She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister Marilyn Ascencio.

Memorial Visitation will be held Sunday, October 16, 2022 from 1:00 pm until 3:00 pm with a Service beginning at 3:00 pm Casterline Funeral Home, 122 West Dunlap, Northville. Rev. James Russell will officiate the service.

Memorial contributions would be appreciated to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital , 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.