Kelly Graham Award
This Award was established in 2021 in memory of Kelly Graham. Kelly worked her entire professional life as a lawyer in Owen Sound, and across Grey-Bruce. Dedicated to the practice of law, Kelly was also a generous volunteer, sharing her expertise with many charitable organizations in the community.
Celebrating Compassion: Zoe Moffit-Lynch Honoured for the 2024-25 Kelly Graham Memorial Scholarship Award
The Alzheimer Society of Grey-Bruce established this Award in 2021 in memory of Kelly Graham. Kelly worked her entire professional life as a lawyer in the City of Owen Sound, serving many residents and institutions throughout Grey and Bruce Counties. Dedicated to the practise of law, Kelly was also a generous volunteer, sharing her expertise with many charitable organizations such as the Alzheimer Society, where she served most recently as the President of the Board of Directors. Kelly’s community interests also focused on the health and wellness of girls and women, including their career advancement and success. In addition to maintaining a fulltime practice and extensive volunteer commitments, Kelly and her husband Jeff raised four children. Their family enjoyed long trips in the car visiting family and sightseeing the countryside of North America, and above all, fishing in our local area.
In Kelly’s memory, one $1,500 scholarship is awarded annually to a Canadian citizen who resides or goes to school in Grey-Bruce who has shown exceptional drive in the areas of leadership, community volunteerism and supporting individuals living with dementia and/or their caregivers in other health and social services.
The Alzheimer Society is proud to recognize Zoe Moffat-Lynch as the recipient of this year’s Kelly Graham Memorial Scholarship Award, celebrating her extraordinary dedication to enriching the lives of older adults in long-term care and retirement homes in our region.
From the moment she first stepped into her Oma’s retirement home, she felt an immediate connection to the environment. Her volunteer journey began with simple joys - playing games with residents and organizing a talent show with friends. What started as a one-time event quickly blossomed into a monthly tradition of music, dance, and heartfelt cheering that brought light and laughter to everyone involved.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, when in-person visits were restricted, her creativity and compassion shone even brighter. She recorded personalized performance videos and arranged for them to be played in homes, ensuring residents still felt connected. She also organized window visits, using speakers so residents could hear her performances clearly - an act of kindness that bridged the physical distance with emotional closeness.
Her musical journey evolved as she taught herself to play the piano, tailoring sing-alongs to each group by researching their favourite songs. These sessions became a source of joy not only for the residents but for Zoe and her friends, many of whom she inspired to join her efforts. One friend described the experience as “the most beautiful hour of her life.”
When asked about her approach to supporting individuals living with dementia, Zoe spoke with wisdom beyond her years: “It’s important to accept their reality.” She shared how this perspective transformed her relationship with her Oma, helping her to honour the best parts of her Oma’s life and focus on what brings out the light in each person. “Holding her hand and squeezing tight - that’s how you know she’s still there,” she said. “Our relationship is still beautiful, just different.”
Looking ahead, Zoe is currently enrolled in Family Studies and Human Development at the University of Guelph and plans to return to Grey-Bruce to teach elementary school and continue giving back to the community that shaped her. Her goal is to “bring the young to the old,” sharing her experiences and becoming a role model for the next generation. When asked what part of Kelly Graham’s legacy resonates most with her, she said, “It’s about appreciating one another and supporting each other to reach our goals. Giving back to the community is one of the most important things I can do.”
Zoe is not only a mentor and an inspiration - she is also a shining example of how empathy, creativity, and dedication can make a lasting impact.
Her story reminds us of all of the power of connection and the importance of nurturing intergenerational relationships.