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. [Name] was a 25-year-old Marine, who loved hunting, woodworking, and theater. I could barely read it, I was crying so hard. Ill never forget how [she/he] took the time to get to know me and helped me feel like I belonged there. He was a kind-hearted man who enjoyed pushing boundaries and exploring new horizons. Shannon viewed dance as therapy. The most memorable trip was for Moms 80th Birthday where Trudi and I were with them for the entire 21-day trip and all but one of the other siblings and Anders joined for a week. Most of you have your own memories of these last two or three years that I ask for you to recall as I share what I believe of the last few years of my grandmas life. As [she/he] grew older, [she/he] became a fan of [description of hobby/interest]. You were always there for me when I needed you. Her passion growing up was very much the church and music. I am so proud of the man that he had become and only wish he had the opportunity to live out the rest of his days. Her husband, Robbie, is constantly finding small notes that Joie left behind, just little reminders that she still cares for him and is supporting him, despite this complication we call existence. But I wasn't. I've heard this phrase so often it's astounded me -- how did [Name] have so many best friends?! When she went back into the workforce, she had to volunteer to get experience, since a Nursing degree wasnt enough apparently. He lived a full and fulfilling life, filled with joy, laughter, and countless precious memories that will be cherished by all who knew him. [Grandfather's Name] was born in San Francisco and spent his early years exploring the city and all that it had to offer. I know theyll miss him so. After everyone was better, Dad realized I was still sick. She would pick me up each and every day from school. He loved to garden. Then he took me to Duke for surgery. My years of worry, tears, and constant attachment to my cell phone, expecting calls from nurses in the middle of the night, were over. Now it's reached the stage where the confused curate - played by John Middleton - has to go into a care home. She was the keeper of holiday traditions, adapting her more German Christmas traditions by adventurously adding her husbands annual Norwegian delicacy: LUTEFISK. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). This special little poem for Marie works as a short eulogy example for any friend or loved one who had Dementia. 4. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. I was hesitant to release her, to let anyone else but me hold her, even her father. Who can forget the little brick office building, with cartoon characters on the inside walls? And he even directed and acted in some community theater plays. Daddy did just that. I take comfort in knowing that [his/her] legacy will live on through the lives of others. Gifts for people with dementia. They can be written in many different ways depending on the person and the circumstances. My aunt Laurie told me one of her earliest memories was Mom, known as Barbie to Laurie, picking her up out of her crib when she was upset one night, holding and comforting her. I love you and carry you with me always! There were 146 facilities totalling 9,780 high care beds. I cant imagine hearing this as an 18 year-old. From the very beginning, [Name] and I were inseparable. Dementia is heartless. I know many of you here today have your own Dr. Lane story. I am so grateful to have had you in my life. 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. He did his best to shield me and my brothers from the harsh upbringing he endured. 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. Dementia was part of your aunt's life journey. I will honor [his/her] time on Earth and [his/her] contributions to our society by [describe how you'll honor their life]. Throughout my career, I've met plenty of personalities, characters, and people -- but none as special as [Name]. So I usually just smiled sheepishly. And how much will that cost me? Roy never lost interest. Dr. Richard Isaacson, a neurologist who has several family members with Alzheimer's, says even a few years ago, the idea of preventing that disease was dismissed as wishful thinking. It had been raining so the roads were more like small lakes than a road. She'd lovingly refer to me as her ""Princess Charming"" -- a role I happily inhabited. I am so proud of the woman you were becoming and I know that you would have accomplished great things in your life. For World Poetry Day, we had three poems from people affected by dementia, which we're featuring here. And most importantly my Dad loved math and data. It may also feel fitting to end the eulogy with a treasured quote or passage. He was not only a brilliant man; he was a man who dedicated his life to helping others. He was one of the most protective, kind, smart, annoying, hilarious, and goofy individuals I've ever known and will surely, ever meet. We were born only a few days apart, spent our first years of life held by each other's moms and had almost no chance in not becoming great friends. He met and married his first wife in Brisbane, Australia. Making an impact through storytelling and science as she invites you to join her in exploring the human experience. I didnt really take time to grieve, and, to be honest, I thought I had already finished [], [] in Rockport on the Texas coast. I think she felt alone, like she didnt have anyone. We will love you forever. I will laugh, loud and often. Its been a tough year so far so I want to thank you all for coming out to remember Barbara and to support this family once again while we are all trying to come to terms with such a great loss. She was a shining star that burned out too soon. "As long as Mom could still lift a hand, she would lift it in kindness to someone else.". He would stand at the bus stop, a huge smile on his face every time he heard the bell ring and saw me running towards him. Was it the time that we went to Lake Minetonka and passed out on the shores after sharing a box full of wine? It is entirely possible to fend off this horrible disease. Our [grandma/grandpa], [Name] was such a classic [grandma/grandpa] that its almost too difficult to believe. Like our dad, she never missed an opportunity to tell my sisters and I how much she loved us, how proud she was of us, how happy we made her, how lucky she was to be our mom. Let's honor [Name's] memory today (and all days) by being kind to one another and remembering the struggles that we all have to face during our time here. My dad was difficult to sum up in a few words, but some that come to mind are: [hardworking/gentle/loving/caring/strong/hilarious/funny/serious/crafty/intelligent]. [Name] was [hardworking/intelligent/ferocious/hilarious/kind/gentle/etc.]. I wanted to show her off to every important person in my life. Thanks Dad I love you and you will be missed. For years she took cancer-causing immunosuppressant drugs to suppress her immune system so her body would not reject my marrow. A friend of my mothers for 40 years, Stuart Platt, delivered my mothers eulogy at her funeral and also spoke at her graveside service. The dog must have grabbed it out of the bucket it was soaking in. She was always there for me when I needed her, and she was such an important part of my life. She was always [description] and she never [description]. These will really help everyone who read this understand that AD makes it difficult for seniors to convey the whatever physical changes or discomfort they feel. She told me not too long ago that she knew she was never going to be the same again, and she hated her illness and what it had done to her. In addition to thanking the community, describing his mother's impact on those around her and her character, Josef includes a beautiful and creative tribute to his mother with additional context and pledges for what he aims to do in the future to honor his mother. Other adventures included Peru - Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca, Panama (with Trudi and Eric), Norway and Germany (with Trudi and Eric), and Trinidad and Tobago (with Trudi, Leif, and grandkids Britta and Anders) where I made the mistake of calling my parents elderly when we were inquiring about a boat trip. Written by Stephen McMasters I stopped in my tracks as soon as I saw her, waiting for her to breathe. For those looking to share a eulogy that's built on memories, Leif's eulogy is a wonderful place to gain inspiration. Roy has bonds with people far beyond his family's reach. I suppose it depends on how the dementia takes someone. When [Name] met [spouse], everything changed. Some tools that sufferers and caregivers can use to manage dementia include: External memory aids: systems or devices, whether electronic or not, that help make up for decreased memory. I remember once when I was younger, we [description of memory]. 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. As we got older, I started to realize how important [Name] was to me and how much of a supporter [he/she] was to me as an individual. When my health fails me or curveballs inevitably come my way, I will put on a brave face to spare my loved ones their worry, and will fight with a strength and tenacity that will make them proud. Grandma, I love you endlessly and have no idea how I'm to navigate this scary world without you by my side. My favorite memory with [her/him] was the time we went to [description of memory]. Thank you, guys, for being there and for being here virtually today. As everyone here can attest, to meet Mom was to know instantly what a beautiful person she was, inside and out; a kind, caring soul; sharp, funny, and fun to be around; someone who brightened the lives of all those around her. Losing my dad is one of the most difficult hardships Ive ever had to go through. Additionally, Christopher takes the time to address members of the family, a beautiful departure from the standard eulogy format that makes Juanita's eulogy incredibly heartwarming and unique. endobj I was [age] and had just [descriptor]. As a young adult, her way of dealing with the condition was to not be emotional or vulnerable. He even bought a Unicycle. Away by James Whitcomb Riley. I invite everyone here, to do just the same. I want to thank you all for gathering today in honor of [Name], I know it wouldve meant the world to [him/her]. They returned to the States, where Marie was born. She was delicate and wild., Memorial Service Packet Dixie StuckyMemorial Service Packet Insert Page Dixie StuckyKnesek Funeral Home Obituary and Guestbook. When you are the writer in the family, that comes with certain responsibilities. To learn more about Richard's life, visit his memorial website. You crowned us', by Toni Morrison - 1988, for Michael Gordon: '13 days ago my Dads big, beautiful, generous heart suddenly stopped beating', by Scott and Sarah Gordon - 2018, Tara Westover: 'Your avatar isn't real, it isn't terribly far from a lie', The Un-Instagrammable Self, Northeastern University - 2019, Tim Minchin: 'Being an artist requires massive reserves of self-belief', WAAPA - 2019, Atul Gawande: 'Curiosity and What Equality Really Means', UCLA Medical School - 2018, Abby Wambach: 'We are the wolves', Barnard College - 2018, Eric Idle: 'America is 300 million people all walking in the same direction, singing 'I Did It My Way'', Whitman College - 2013, Shirley Chisholm: ;America has gone to sleep', Greenfield High School - 1983, Joe Marler: 'Get back on the horse', Harlequins v Bath pre game interview - 2019, Ray Lewis : 'The greatest pain of my life is the reason I'm standing here today', 52 Cards -, Mel Jones: 'If she was Bradman on the field, she was definitely Keith Miller off the field', Betty Wilson's induction into Australian Cricket Hall of Fame - 2017, Jeff Thomson: 'Its all those people that help you as kids', Hall of Fame - 2016, Dan Angelucci: 'The Best (Best Man) Speech of all time', for Don and Katherine - 2019, Hallerman Sisters: 'Oh sister now we have to let you gooooo!' If youve never planned and held your own unveiling ceremony, this task can seem daunting, but it doesnt have to be. You were an amazing son, brother, and friend and you will be deeply missed. A eulogy doesn't need to consist of only your own words. Many, many humorous, often sarcastic words tinged with life, love and affection. After we met, I [description of life after meeting person] and [he/she] went on to [description of what they did]. [Name] was the kind of person who you never forget. We laid her to rest in a beautiful and private service. Even in the depths of dementia, he would say, Its a beautiful day, a beautiful day. He would tell people, Youre looking good! The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. As I have been reflecting these past two weeks as mom's health began to take a turn for the worse I have been thinkingthinking about many things, but thinking mainly about what a long period of time has elapsed since mom was diagnosed with "dementia of the Alzheimer's type" in 1990 . Written in the form of detailed descriptions of different memories Leif had with his mother, Barbara's eulogy is a perfect example of the how the accumulation of small moments woven together end up creating a beautiful landscape of a life well lived. All rights reserved (About Us). I wish we had taken a picture of the three of us that day. My nearly 42- year life is right about the length of the job she retired from. Thank you. In the summer of 2015, Shannon had her first psychotic break. To say she was a lifelong friend to many wouldn't be doing her justice. [He/she] was special. She was a manager at Southwestern Bell and visitors had to wear a special badge. Sorry, we had some trouble updating your comment. For her, it was never about the college you got into or the job title next to your name or the amount of money you made. As his family, we watched Dad decline with dementia for 25 years. You dont understand this today, but Grandma Juanita will always be with you. This column is her legacy -- a way that I can serve others, as surely as she would find a way to serve them if she were still with us today. He was a silly little Jack Russell Terrier. Mom made sure to help us kids adjust and get involved in activities. 21K subscribers in the dementia community. One of my most cherished memories with [Name] was the time we [description]. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. I believe the truth is that our individual and collective memories tell of a woman that continued to be there no matter what the situation was. But to me, he was just my dad. He was an adventurous spirit, always eager to try new things and see new places. And he did at least a sudoku a day. Because every little bit we learn and incorporate into our lives gives us better protection against what we dread. But it got me thinking about that notion of "unexpressed love." He loved rollercoasters. But I thank God for this extra time. In 1997, and again in 2004, she was diagnosed with Aplastic Anemia, an extremely rare disease in which the bone marrow quits producing red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. I will, I pray, truly and forever be my mothers son. 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