Miss you mom!

Monday 29th Sep

My name is Tammy DeLeonardis.  I’ve been a volunteer with the Alzheimer’s Association for the past seven years. And I’m honored to share my mom’s story with you. 

In February 2018, my mom, Joan, and I were on the way to a craft show when she started repeating herself. Suddenly, I knew something was wrong. My dad had noticed some worrying things as well. My mom needed help, and I had to find a way.   

One night, I was at my mom and dad’s playing cards with my brother and father. I showered my mom, washed her hair, dressed her, and got ready to tuck her into bed. While dressing her, she asked me, “Can you get my daughter, if she is still here? I want to say good night.” My heart broke. Here was this amazing woman, yet she could not remember that I was her daughter.   

I walked the short distance to the kitchen, returned to the bedroom, and said “Hi, Mom. I hear you wanted to say good night.” She looked at me lovingly and said, “Good night. I love you.” Tears filled my eyes as I responded, “I love you too, Mom.” 

She then asked me if the lady caring for her and the cleaning lady were still there because she wanted to speak with them. I said yes, and for a few minutes, we were the same three people — daughter, cleaning lady, and caregiver.   

My mother passed away in May 2021. My father passed away due to lung cancer shortly before that. I was determined to turn the pain of losing my parents into the promise of finding a cure. I got involved with the Alzheimer’s Association and Do What you Love to End Alzheimers to raise awareness and funds for research. 

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