Joan was born October 17, 1929 on a farm in the Elkhorn district north of Lacombe to parents Frank and Florrie Tayles.  She was the youngest of five children.

Her elementary schooling took place in the Elkhorn one-room schoolhouse, followed by high school in Lacombe.  Growing up she cleaned houses for 50 cents an hour.  Following high school she worked at Todd’s Grocery in Blackfalds.

In February 1951 she married a cowboy, Wally Graves.  They moved to his farm which, at the time, had no electricity, running water, or telephone.  Joan was a very hardworking woman: hauling water from a pump, preparing meals for countless people on a coal and wood stove, hanging diapers on the clothesline in the middle of winter, and keeping everyone healthy and happy.  During that time they had five children and were subsequently blessed with 18 grandchildren and, at present, 28 great-grandchildren.

In 1966 they moved to a home down the road with all the amenities.  In 1970 Joan entered the workforce.  For five years she worked shifts at the Lacombe Nursing Home.  This experience honed the skills she needed to take on the role of Matron at the Lacombe Senior Citizens Lodge, a position she held for 14 enjoyable years.

In 1990 the family moved to Lacombe.  Then, in 1993, Joan decided to retire to care for Wally.  They were married for 55 years before his passing in 2006.

Her last 20 years were a particularly special time for her. She enjoyed visiting neighbors and friends, doing her children’s laundry, going on casino outings, playing cards, cutting transfers, and tending to her cherished flowers and garden.

She remained in her home until August 2024 when a fall sent her to the hospital.  In January 2025 she moved to Royal Oak where she resided until her passing.  Her family has cherished and loved her dearly over her 96 years.

A Celebration of Joan's Life will be held on Tuesday, March 17, 2026 at 1:30 p.m. at St. Andrew's United Church (5226 51 Ave, Lacombe).

To view the Celebration, please click the following link for the St. Andrew's United Church site: https://www.youtube.com/@LacombeUnitedChurch/streams