Lucy Lathrop Ingraham

Lucy Lathrop Ingraham, 92, died peacefully at home in Mystic, CT on September 14, 2025. Born Lucy Rebecca Lathrop in Plainfield, CT, she was the youngest child of the late Walter and Ruth (Maddock) Lathrop. Lucy grew up on the family dairy farm, graduated from Plainfield High School and attended the University of Connecticut. While at UConn, Lucy met her future husband Roy whose dormitory was conveniently across the quad from hers – they could wave at one another across the way. Lucy and ENS Talcott L (Roy) Ingraham, USN were married in 1954 and became parents of four children, Ralph, Barbara, Steven and Jeanne. As the wife of a Naval officer, Lucy moved frequently. In later years she was fond of saying she had moved 27 times. Having left college after her marriage, Lucy resumed her studies as soon as her youngest child was of school age, enrolling at the University of Hawaii while Roy was stationed at Pearl Harbor. The family moved again before she was able to complete her studies, so she enrolled again at Old Dominion College (now University), graduating with a degree in Organ with an emphasis on Church Music. Lucy was a dedicated pianist, organist and musician, and found as many opportunities as possible to serve. She began playing piano for her home church and another local church at the age of 14, eventually learning to play organ, and continued to use her talents throughout her life. Her list of churches includes the chapels at the Submarine Bases in Groton and Pearl Harbor, the Naval War College in Norfolk, the Makalapa Chapel at Pacific Fleet Headquarters, Christ Episcopal Church in Mt. Pleasant, SC, and for more than thirty years, the UCC Bath Congregational Church in Bath, ME. Some highlights of Lucy's musical career include playing Easter sunrise services at Camp HM Smith in Hawaii and ringing the National Carillon in Washington, DC. Lucy also set an example of service and volunteerism throughout her adult life. Some of her notable volunteer achievements include serving on the committee that brought Spoleto USA to Charleston, SC and helping to lead charity performances at the Chocolate Church Arts Center in Bath, ME. She was a gifted and avid knitter, known for her personalized Christmas stockings and steady supply of sweaters for her family. In later years she enjoyed knitting prayer shawls with her church knitting group to soothe and encourage those suffering from illness and cancer. One of her most significant contributions was her many years as Director of Volunteers where she tirelessly coordinated volunteers to help those in need, as well as serving on the board of directors for the Red Cross chapter in Midcoast Maine. Lucy was recognized in 2017 for her lifelong volunteer service to the Red Cross. Lucy leaves behind her beloved husband of 71 years, Talcott L. (Roy) Ingraham, Jr., her son Ralph and wife Gerardine, daughter Barbara, son Steven and daughter Jeanne as well as eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister Emily Messenger of Granby, CT and several nieces and nephews and their families, having been preceded in death by her remaining siblings. The B.C. Bailey Funeral Home of Walingford has been entrusted with arrangements. A funeral service will be held at 10:00AM on Monday, September 29, 2025 at the First Congregational Church of Wallingford located at 23 South Main Street in Wallingford. Interment will follow at In Memoriam Cemetery in Wallingford. There will be no calling hours. Those wishing to attend should meet directly at the church. To leave a message of remembrance or for directions, please visit www.BaileyCares.com.