A Promise Kept

Finding guidance when our family needed it most

When our dad passed unexpectedly in 2024, we had to make quick, life-changing decisions regarding our mom’s care. Dad had been caring for her for several years, and just before he passed, I promised him we would take care of her. The challenge was figuring out how to make good on that promise. They were living in Florida, while their children, Dennis and I, and our spouses, lived 1,300 miles away in Wisconsin. Our fiercely independent mom was not interested in moving to Wisconsin. But she simply could not live safely on her own. She was no longer driving or able to manage the many things required for independent living, and it was not possible for us to provide the care she needed from such a great distance. A colleague mentioned that the Alzheimer's Association had been a tremendous source of information for his family when his own mother was on her Alzheimer’s journey. So, out of desperation, I called. Within moments, a social worker called me back and spent nearly an hour listening, answering questions and guiding me through how best to approach our situation. At a time when we were grieving, overwhelmed and unsure what to do next, that guidance was invaluable and we will forever be grateful for the support the Alzheimer’s Association provided our family when we needed it most. That’s why we have created this tribute page in our mom’s memory. In addition to providing free care and guidance to families navigating Alzheimer’s and other dementias, the Alzheimer’s Association advances research toward better treatment, prevention, and hopefully one day, a cure. Thank you for making a memorial donation. We hope it will help ensure that another family facing an overwhelming moment like ours has somewhere to turn. Cheryl Tessier, Dennis Van Daalwyk and families