Patricia "Patty" Graves
Patty joined Rotary September 29, 2015. It is with great sadness that we share she has passed away.
She was extremely involved in the Akron community. Here is an excerpt of her obituary.
The full obituary can be viewed by clicking here.
Patricia L. Graves “Patty” departed this life for her heavenly home on March 31, 2023. She passed away peacefully at home with loved ones nearby every step of the way. She was a faithful woman who loved the Lord, her family, church, and community.
Patty was born February 16, 1931 in Roaring Spring, Pennsylvania, and was raised by loving foster parents Jessie and Abram Kipple in Akron, Ohio. She attended The University of Akron and is a member of Alpha Delta Pi Sorority. She worked in the advertising department of the Akron Beacon Journal before meeting her husband, Harvey Graves, Chairman and CEO of Empire Wholesale Lumber Co.
She was deeply grateful to call Akron home, and is known for nearly 70 years of service to the people and community she loved so dearly. Patty served on the boards of many civic organizations and as cofounder, with husband Harvey, of the Patricia and J. Harvey Graves Family Foundation, created mainly to provide assistance to people in need in the Akron community. She enjoyed providing encouragement and much more to young people, which often included helping some finish their education.
Patty served for nine years as a member of the Board of Trustees of The University of Akron. She was honored to be selected as Vice Chair and later Chairwoman of the Board by her fellow trustees. Along with Trustee Dr. John Fink, she initiated the Landscape for Learning Building Program in the mid-1990s that led the institution into the 21st century. She was an associate member of The University of Akron’s Women’s Committee, a member of the UA Foundation Stewardship Committee, and member of the UA Research Foundation Board of Directors. In 2004, the University lauded Patty with an Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts & Humanities and named her Chairwoman Emeritus of the Board of Trustees. Last but not least, she was a diehard Akron Zips sports fan and rarely missed a basketball game, wearing blue and gold proudly.
In addition to serving the University, Patty volunteered with a host of the city’s organizations in fields as diverse as medicine, art, education, sports, social welfare, and business.
A private entombment service will be held Wednesday, May 17 at Rose Hill Burial Park. Calling hours will be Thursday, May 18 from 4 to 7 pm at Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel, 85 N. Miller Rd. A Memorial Service will be held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 1361 W. Market St, Akron, Ohio 44313, on Friday, May 19 at 11:00 am.
