Esther Powell Porter—our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend—had a wonderful way of making life feel a little more special.
She loved gathering people together, whether over a cup of tea, a good meal, or a celebration. She loved her family deeply and took enormous pride in her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchild. She was smart, independent, curious, and strong, with a life that spanned a remarkable 87 years.
In the later years of her life, Alzheimer’s disease gradually changed so much. It took memories, independence, and eventually many of the things that had always made everyday life familiar. But it never changed how deeply she was loved.
Through it all, there were still moments of connection—a smile, a laugh, a familiar look, the comfort of a hand held. Those moments reminded us that even when Alzheimer’s changes the way someone can communicate with the world, the person we love is still there and still worthy of tenderness, dignity, and joy.
We created this tribute in Mom’s memory because we hope for a future in which other families do not have to experience the long goodbye that comes with Alzheimer’s disease.
If you would like to remember Esther with a gift, we would be deeply grateful. Your contribution will help support the Alzheimer’s Association’s work toward better care, better treatments, and ultimately a world without Alzheimer’s.
We miss her terribly. We will carry her with us always.
