Annette Levis Boice

Annette Levis Boice, age 90 years, of Ottawa Hills, passed away peacefully on February 1, 2022, at the Sunset House. She was born on May 2, 1931, in St. Louis, Missouri to John Preston and Charlotte (Rodgers) Levis. The family moved to Ottawa Hills in 1938 and she graduated from Ottawa Hills High School in 1949. She greatly enjoyed her time in school and participated in numerous activities including cheerleading and field hockey. That is where she had the good fortune of making a lifelong group of amazing friends affectionately known as “The Girlies”. Much of her family remained in Ottawa Hills, and she was proud of the fact that she had a child or grandchild in the school system for 64 consecutive years.

Annette married John A. Minns in 1949 in Toledo and they had four children. In 1961, Annette met and married the love of her life, Willis Boice. Willis brought three of his own children to the family and Willis and Annette had three more children together. Being a mother was her greatest joy, and somehow, she made it look easy! She was truly a remarkable mother and wife!

Aside from her family, Annette’s other passions included a love of tennis and the joy of bike riding.  Stories of her athletic prowess are still being shared, including her winning the USTA Southern Section Super Senior Championship and completing Bike to the Bay in her 70’s. She was also an avid needle pointer and homemaker. The cookie jar was constantly filled with her legendary chocolate chip cookies, and when the holidays rolled around, everyone eagerly awaited her Christmas Cutouts and Forgotten Cookies. Nobody did it better!

Annette also loved her time in Hilton Head, SC with family and friends, and the great trips she took with Willis to Europe and around the United States for various golf tournaments. She was a member of the Toledo Country Club for over 60 years and a longtime member of the Inverness Club. She was active in the Junior League, the Sunset House Auxiliary and Saint Michael’s in the Hills. One of her most cherished accomplishments was being awarded the Saint Michael’s Medal for her many years of service to the church, which included working on the Altar Guild and the Memorial Garden committee.

In addition to her beloved husband, Willis, Annette was preceded in death by her mother and father; her siblings, Harriet McFarlane and John Preston Levis, Jr.; her son, Michael; and stepson, John. She is survived by her children, John (Sharmon) Minns, Marcia (John) Drumheller, Sharon (Mark) Newman, Charlotte (Mark) Perry, Tricia (Steve) Dooley, and Peter (Tracy) Boice; stepsons, Stephen (Marsha) Boice and Lawrence Boice; 17 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren.

The family wishes to give an enormous thanks to Tina, Christy and Amber who provided Annette and her family with tremendous and unlimited support and love!

A celebration of life at Saint Michael’s in the Hills Episcopal Church will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, May 7, 2022. In lieu of flowers, those who would like to donate in her name are asked to consider St. Michael’s in the Hills or the Ronald McDonald House. Online condolences may be shared on the Tribute Wall of this page.