Captain Lucy Graves
On December 29, 2025, Captain Lucy Graves (nee Tisdale), a retired officer of The Salvation Army, peacefully entered into the glorious presence of God in the comfort of her home (Kitchener) surrounded by the love and care of family members at the age of 86.
She was the extraordinary and loving mother of sons and daughters-in-law Michael and Paula of St. Mary’s, Wendell and Cindy of Aylmer, Lee and Debbie (Commissioners, Salvation Army) of Toronto and Christopher and Denise of Kitchener. She will be sadly and forever missed by her grandchildren and their spouses Joel (Jamie), Laurel (Nicholas), Natalie (Brodie), Andrea (Duong), Rebecca ( John), Andrew ( Jennifer), Shelley (Matthew), Kerrie (Christopher), Logan, Chloe, Jordan (Tayler), Amelia and Noah. Lucy also cherished her growing list of great-grandchildren who are Heydon, Mea, Lilah, Sadie, Ella, Luke, Camdyn, Landon, Elliott, Micah, Claire, Henry, Kylie, Joshua, Josie, Seth, Nathaniel, Zachariah, Isaiah and Jeremiah. She is also survived by her brother Charles and his wife Dorcas of Lyons and several nieces and nephews all of whom she greatly loved.
Lucy was predeceased by her husband Cecil (Captain, Salvation Army) (1997), her parents Francis (2008) and Pearl (1973), step-mother Gladys (2019) and great grandson Zion (2022).
Lucy was raised near Orwell, Ont. and she often shared her early and vivid memories of life on the farm. Lucy and Cecil were married in 1957 and they resided in St. Thomas where they became the proud parents of four boys. In 1978 after several years of managing a busy and active household, they answered God’s call on their lives and became full time officers in The Salvation Army. For the next 20 years they faithfully served and ministered to congregations and communities in Tillsonburg, St. Mary’s, Bermuda and East Toronto.
Shortly after the passing of Cecil, Lucy retired as a Salvation Army officer and moved to Kitchener with Chris and Denise and family. It was here that she found her next calling as the full-time chaplain of the Village of Winston Park. Starting in 2001 she passionately entered into this new role sharing God’s love, hope and comfort with staff, residents and their families alike. Her smile, sense of humour, boundless joy and musical talents were an inspiration and encouragement to all. Even after her retirement around the time of the pandemic, she continued there as a volunteer leading or organizing church services right up until 2024.
Lucy lived life to the fullest and certainly honoured and used the gifts that God had placed within her. Her faith was paramount and it was her prayer that all would come to know the saving power of Christ as she did. She also left no doubts in the hearts and minds of her family and friends that they were loved unconditionally.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to Project Helping Orphans for the Purpose of Eternity (Project HOPE).
A funeral service celebrating Lucy’s life will be held at H.A. Kebbel Funeral Home, 119 Talbot St., E., Aylmer on January 31, 2026 at 11 am. Family and friends are invited to attend a reception at St. Paul’s United Church immediately following the service. Family internment will take place at Elmdale Cemetery, St. Thomas. Share memories or condolences at kebbelfuneralhome.com