Vale Lesley Lloyd 25 June 1958 – 24 May 2026

As Lesley and Keva’s Eaglehawk Uniting Church was not large enough for the hundreds of expected mourners, the service was held at the William Farmer Reflection Chapel, a few minutes away. Their minister, the Rev. Janet Munro officiated.

The whole service’s format, music, readings and presentation was personally organised by Lesley with loving assistance from Keva and their family.

As Roy Orbison’s She’s a Mystery to Me played, Lesley’s grandchildren decorated the table with objects dear to her heart – a book and readers, her apron, a crocheted blanket, her jelly slice tray, a jigsaw, her camera, her Derwents – 60-odd years old, Tigers’ colours and sparkly dance shoes. Lesley’s niece, Dani Phelps and Lesley’s son, John Hicks, lit the Christ candle before the prayer of invocation and confession. Her nephew Brad Pascoe sensitively accompanied himself as he sang the classic You’ll Never Walk Alone.

Keva’s professional work as a celebrant was apparent as he detailed all the important people and dates in Lesley’s life leading up to their first meeting in 1990. Both with two children from their first marriages, they set out to blend their two families whilst running the very successful Sea Lake Newsagency and banking facility over twenty-six years. In 2016 they made their move to Epsom and, amongst other activities, Keva was finally able to join the Bendigo chapter of VicWelsh. They found their spiritual home at Eaglehawk Uniting Church and Lesley threw herself into all areas including baking and producing goods for charitable outreaches. Over the years, she and Keva learned over 40 new dances at Spring Gully Hall Dances.

The individually recorded short videos by friend Rosie, on behalf of Food and Care, and all her grandchildren testified to her complete love for them as they remembered how she attended all their sporting and other pursuits and how impressed they were by her many practical and intellectual attributes.

Daughter-in-law Stacey enlarged upon these traits and read out their four children’s memories. The whole family keenly felt the loss of a very well-loved Mum and Nanna.

The photo reflection beautifully showed how fully she was engaged in family and a myriad of church and community ventures. All this to the background of That’s What Friends Are For and Through the Years.

Rev. Munro read Psalm 121 and added her personal thoughts before VicWelsh stepped up with Rushan Hewawasam conducting and Mary O’Driscoll accompanying as they joined Keva to echo Charles Wesley’s words to And Can It Be. This was a new song to the repertoire, but which was specially chosen by Lesley. Knowing this – and having her firmly in their minds and hearts, choristers and Keva emotionally articulated his and her abiding and Amazing Love.

As the casket was borne out by the family, and sunbeams came through the chapel’s windows, Lesley’s shoes surely had extra sparkle as Anne Murray asked Could I Have This Dance for the Rest of My Life?