You were an amazing son, brother, and friend and you will be deeply missed. Her favorite things in life were witnessing others transform their lives for the better, helping people access community resources wherever possible, and advocating for those less fortunate. Music played an important role in my journey through my mothers illness. I cant imagine hearing this as an 18 year-old. One Christmas when we all arrived Mom said they had noticed an awful smell in the house. Follow him on Twitter @TonyDearing. The next day, Saturday, June 22, 2013, I walked into her room with my dad. Thats a lot of what Buddhist practice is, staying in the present. My sister seemed to have found peace in those moments of presence on the dance floor. Everyone who encountered you immediately felt like one of your best friends. It is an impossible feat to sum up the importance that ones mother has in ones life, so Id like to instead, share some of my favorite memories that I had with my mother. 3 0 obj He was known by my entire group of friends as "The Cool Dad". He had a heart of gold, and he never hesitated to lend a helping hand or a listening ear to those in need. Taken by N.A.J. The simple 5 step process will help you create your own free memorial website in memory of your loved one in just a few minutes. He was blessed with five grandchildren, and he cherished each and every one of them, spending countless hours camping, fishing, and exploring the great outdoors with them. My grandmother was an amazing woman. Let that sink in for a secondthere are people here today who flew from warm, sunny California. Thank you. How can I sum up the impact they had on me, on those around them, on the field of [career field], on the world? Thats where I first learned to [description of skill]. My father was resilient, generous, and reserved. 10/01/20 My mom passed away two months ago, after a nearly 4 year battle with Lewy Body Dementia. We spent all our time during that summer [description of activities] and the following years were spent periodically visiting [location] and inviting friends out for our annual [description of trip]. One of my earliest memories of time with my grandma, which is a bit fuzzy at this point in my life, is going to work with her during a summer I was staying with her. Visit Shannon's memorial website to learn more about her life. Tony Dearing may be reached at tdearing@njadvancemedia.com. You dont meet someone like that every day. He was an incredibly talented musician who could play various instruments including the guitar, piano and flute. Eventually when a second child came along, she stopped working to be a stay-at-home mother and continue supporting her husband as he continued working and pursuing a Masters Degree. Even during his last months, he was ensuring me and my brothers knew what to expect, knew what was coming, and what our responsibilities to each other were. Honor his memory by being kind and trying your absolute best. Growing up, the four of us kids were what's known in the tradethe church trade, that isas PKs. After my Dad retired, he had so much fun taking liberal art classes at the community college. He also loved going to see plays with my Mom, so they both ushered at various local theaters for over 30 years. Throughout both transplants, she had to undergo chemotherapy, hospital isolation, and months of recovery before returning to her normal life. I haven't been involved in other aspects of it, but someone on TP encouraged me to speak at least, and I realised I did want to. He ended up dropping out of highschool in order to pursue a job as a dishwasher and support himself. I know I will be fine. Life was hard, but it was also worth it for her. She was always [description] and she never [description]. [Name] -- you were one of the most unique and special souls that has ever graced this earth. Later when she married my dad they acquired a pet skunk named Flower.I think we can figure out what name a pet deer may have acquired. Sister? My mom was the center of my life and without her, I feel lost. He was so happy in his recent move to Greenspring where he had a big office surrounded by at least 1,000 of his books, all in one room. Constant. I may have taken care of her first, but you stepped up and took care of her when she needed support and assistance that allowed her to retain her dignity and privacy in a way a grandson couldnt provide. While not all of these memories are ""positive"", they are the ones that have stuck with me the most. [He/she] was my best friend, my partner in crime, and someone I knew I could always rely on. It can also provide a powerful insight into what dementia means for those living with it every day. Eulogy for Mother With a Degenerative Illness If your mother passed away due to a degenerative illness such as dementia or cancer, you may or may not wish to include information about her experience with this illness in your speech. Before I get started, I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has decided to join us today (and even those who reached out and mentioned they couldn't make it). I did my best. The moral, I think, is that grief isnt something we should avoid or try to overcome, but something we should embrace. I am so saddened by the loss of [Name]. It seems almost everyone I talk to has lost a parent or grandparent to Alzheimer's, or is currently dealing with it in their extended family. By the time we reach the age of 85, our likelihood of developing Alzheimer's is around 50 percent. We sat around her bed and talked with mom and reminisced about our time with Mom. Thank you so much for coming today. There were also several trips to Mexico with each of her children and several grandchildren joining them. Thank you all for being here today and I know that [Name] wouldve been in tears just seeing all of you who loved and cared for [her/him] show up for [her/him] today. With two kids and a wife wanting a critter he and mom figured out a way to make a guinea pig work with dads allergies. You've cried with me. Lauren Flake is a wife, girl mom, native Austinite, seventh generation Texan, artist, author, and Alzheimer's daughter. I thank you, Grandma, for every gift and lesson and moment you gave me, and there are nearly 42 years of them to draw on. Her dedication to her family and willingness to sacrifice for the good of others is detailed throughout his tribute. He spent many hours in his workshop, creating beautiful pieces of art and furniture that will be cherished by his family for generations to come. As time went on, he forgot most things. Then we held a graveside service later that day at Sealy Cemetery in Sealy, Texas. My mother was persistent about peace and understanding between those she loved. Gifts for people with dementia. In the whole of the UK, the number of people with dementia is estimated at 850,000. Its impossible to describe the amount of love I hold in my heart for my father, so Ill leave it to someone else to describe for me. Theyre easy to set up, easy to use and completely free. My dad meant everything to me, and more. His stop and his step down was so very unexpected for us but he left so many great memories, and we are so grateful he stepped off on a high note! For all those that are gathered with me today, I ask that you join me in honoring [Name]'s life by practicing the values they held so dear. % How fortunate am I? In the summer of 2015, Shannon had her first psychotic break. There are different difficulty levels and various activities such as crosswords, colouring pages, puzzles, drawing, matching images and how many. A woman of love and positivity and a ray of sunshine that will be so desperately missed from this world. [Shes/Hes] incredibly difficult to sum up in just a few words so Ill do my best. In the end, [Grandfather's Name] passed away peacefully in Florida at the age of 82, surrounded by the love of his family. Today we come together to honor the life and legacy of a beloved retired musician, who touched so many lives with his passion for music. She was everything to so many and I'm so blessed to see you all here today. You must log in or register to reply here. He told me later that he told her we would all be okay. No parent should undergo the rage and grief that accompanies picking out a casket for your small child. I initially intended for it to be a poem, as thats the language that she loved best, but Im afraid I didnt inherit her poetic voice (or talents). After we met, I [description of life after meeting person] and [he/she] went on to [description of what they did]. Giving of herself was her calling. When I decided I was obsessed with [hobby], [he/she] went out and purchased [item]. Now, I know they came in part to support our dad in his time of grief, but I think it really speaks to the impact our mom had on people. We always had family dinners, he made breakfast every Sunday (where I was introduced to and then loved scrapple), he washed the dishes every night for my Mom, and was always willing and around to assist us with our school and homework. To Owen, The five days leading up to my mothers death were physically and emotionally trying. This may be true; no, this is painfully true. Just recently he helped Brandon and me with some math homework and sent us detailed descriptions and steps to help us. This GPS tracking watch enables you to easily locate the wearer through a couple of taps on your smartphone, day or night. I like that sentiment; I think theres some wisdom there, and perhaps some solace for those of us who are grieving our moms loss so deeply still. Our family would like to thank you for being here today to share in the celebration of a life well lived. Unfortunately there were no easy answers or quick fixes, and I underestimated her ability to cope with her illness. Wed like to thank everyone who travelled from out of state to be here today, including those on our dads side of the family who traveled from as far away as California. To learn more about Barbara's life, visit her memorial website. Read more about Lauren. Thank you for joining me and listening to me today. People who met [him/her/them] would immediately want to work alongside them. My high school friends even fondly remember his tutoring us in math. Keep living your life. I was expecting to choose hospice care for my grandfather when we met with the hospital staff last Thursday. "Since 2014, when the clinic was founded, it's been OK to say 'Alzheimer's disease' and 'prevention' in the same sentence.". It is merely another step we must all take. Perhaps my mate had learned about Dads illness the hard way, but how Dad handled it with such tenderness has stuck with me. Seeing her bright, chubby cheeks light up as I turned the corner into her room made it so very worth it. He cussed when we left the back door open or turned the thermostat too high. Is a cognitive decline in the old always dementia? Kodak stayed in business for a long time because of mom! Doctors told Shannon she would not live passed 40 and would likely be barren. Without his example, encouragement, advice, and love, I wouldnt be the person I am today. When we lost [name], we lived only 20 minutes from each other and would see each other nearly every other day. Was it the time that we went to Lake Minetonka and passed out on the shores after sharing a box full of wine? My brother was the best of us and this world is less bright now that he has passed. Thank you to [Name's parents] for raising such an incredible human being. To spare you all from that (and to shield you from watching me cry for a few hours) I've decided to restrict this to a short list of some of my favorite qualities of my dad. We can reduce our risk to a far greater degree than most Americans realize or act upon. She stood at the fence cheering me on as I learned new things like cantering or jumping. Dad always wanted to be a doctor; from the time he was just a boy. The prevailing theme he was such a kind and gentle and smart person. When I was three, Peter made me eat a chemistry set (Peter ate it with me) and Dad had to pump our stomachs out. At the same time, I know she would want me to remember her in a bright light and know that I carry her with me at all times. He had a stoic, but kind personality that drew people to him, and he had a deep passion for nature, exploration, and family. His love of nature was second only to his love of his family, and he always took time to share his knowledge and appreciation of the natural world with those he loved. When I'd wake up in the morning to a hot cup of coffee and a brief rant on the political state of the world? My friends would always say that he was [description of friends thoughts]. Mom thought she would never see us again. He was an avid traveler, having visited countries all over the world. For such a small fishing village they had some great restaurants with some interesting locally sourced gourmet dishes. People around older adults, especially those with Alzheimer's disease, should be more sensitive to the changes and needs of these seniors.Alzheimer Clinic. Maybe that means setting up a walk or run (or any other fun activity) for a charity that you hold dear. She told me not to embarass her in this eulogy, so I'll restrain myself from doing that by going over the top. I was swept off my feet, in a completely unexpected way. I will laugh, loud and often. [He/she] was special. We planned on going to the same college together (but [Name] was smarter than I and got into some schools I didn't). The next best thing, riding lessons. Mom spent hours taking photos of this sweet little creature. I will miss her presence and her eager smile, for . Many times mom had to help dad dismantle the huge sleeper sofa to get the guinea pig out from underneath where he was hiding. Written by Stephen McMasters Choosing a favorite moment from my life spent with my wife is impossible. This train ride has been a mixture of joy, sorrow, fantasy, expectations, hellos, goodbyes, and farewells. sufferers, the plight of . We would share our dreams, our fears, our anger, and our joy for a few hours each night. Roy never lost his kind-heartedness. She was a wife, a sister-in-law, an aunt, and a grandma. Before I begin, I want to take the opportunity, on behalf of our entire family, to thank all of you for being here todayin person, in this beautiful, old church that our mom loved so much, or virtuallyto help us celebrate our moms life. From the moment I met her, I knw my life would be different and that I'd found the one. She didnt play favorites often--I should know because I did spend so much time with her--but she does have a special connection with each of you. My mother was no exception. So back to the story. Maybe that was her purpose here, to have a positive impact on all of us by leaving us better than she found us. So many folks, even those she hasn't seen in over a decade, have written in and let us know the impact she had on their lives. The ABC store stocked it just for him. I will follow your trajectory through life and attempt to celebrate your spirit in everything that I do. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Lighting should be bright, even and natural (as much as possible). Like so many previous visits, I wanted so desperately to know what you were saying, thinking, seeing. Much love, Ma. He was loved by all, and as his family, we are so proud he was our father. I will cherish all the memories we have together from your first steps, to your first day of school, to your high school graduation. To learn more about Richard's life, visit his memorial website. Rest in peace, dear friend. ', Defense of 2nd Spanish Republic - 1936, Jimmy Reid: 'A rat race is for rats. This little critter loved noodles with BBQ sauce a specialty my mother whipped up for for her culinary delight. You will be forever in my heart. Assuming it was mine he said, Gee Nico, you are not that bad at maths are you! Unfazed, Dad confessed that the book was his and kindly explained how mental exercises helped preserve the functioning of his brain. After a couple of days of absorbing the shock and trying to erase that final image of my mothers lifeless body, I woke up that Monday morning feeling at peace. I've been a professional journalist for more than a decade, but without a doubt, my mother's eulogy was the hardest thing I've ever had to write. To lose a mother is to lose a piece of your soul. Please make sure you've written a comment before it can be published. Vascular dementia is considered as the second major form of dementia , or the other most common form of dementia . I went through college and by the time I was 32 realized I'd never had a boyfriend. They tell of her being a person of support, care, and growth both personally and as an example for everyone around her. Your Mother is Always With You by Deborah R Culver. That wasn't my intent. His passion for creating was matched only by his love of giving, and every year he donned a Santa Claus suit to bring joy to children in his community. Since the doctors were unable to diagnosis . I want to thank you all for coming today to honor my dad. They'd made us family -- sisters. When we first met at [company], [name] was one of the first people to make me feel welcome. When she went back into the workforce, she had to volunteer to get experience, since a Nursing degree wasnt enough apparently. She dealt with her illness by pushing it aside and pursuing her academic and career goals, leading many of us to forget that she was ever sick at all. We will cherish each sweet moment together. Written by Christopher Cost Rest in peace, [Name]. No more suffering, no more pain, no more Alzheimers disease. Easily publish a free obituary, share funeral details, collect memories and more. 1. Losing my dad has taught me two things: [list lessons]. 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