Family memory walk tribute to loved ones

Stories passed down generations say it was love at first sight for Arthur Anderson when he clocked eyes on his next door neighbour Dorothy, or Rene as she was best known, in their 20s.

The couple tried to keep their romance low key but Arthur’s seven siblings were good at catching them out, usually kissing down the side of their house in College Road, Great Barr.

With eyes only for each other, they married five years later in 1950 and went on to have two daughters, Alison and Marilyn.

Both women signed up to take part in Alzheimer’s Society’s Memory Walk at Sutton Park, earlier this month, and were joined by wider family members including Alison’s daughter Emma Archer.

They completed the walk to remember their parents and grandparents who died at the end of 2017 from Alzheimer’s.

Emma, 28, of Walsall, said: “Nan and Grandad did everything together and really couldn’t bear too much time apart.

“They were an inspiration for the way they lived their lives and just kept going, grandad was still driving and playing golf at the age of 91.”

The family describes how Rene broke her hip and lost all confidence to go out which in turn worried Arthur, who would stay in with her. Their health and wellbeing deteriorated in stages with noticeable changes.

Emma said: “Grandad used to always wear shirt and a jumper but there would be times when we would visit and his shirt was over his jumper, his hair won’t have been brushed and there were changes to his speech.

“I remember Nan’s communication also decreased and she would give very short answers during conversation.

“They were both seen by their GP and Grandad was the first to be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and dementia and Nan wasn’t long after.

“As a family we tried to care for them as long as possible at home but Grandad ended up having a fall and was taken to hospital. It was deemed unsafe for them to continue living at home and a care home was eventually found.

“Nan soon deteriorated without him and also ended up in hospital before going into the same care home – although at this stage they didn’t know they were in there together. It was so sad to see their health rapidly decrease.

“Grandad died first at the age of 97. During his funeral two weeks later, we remember seeing a robin outside, hours later at his wake we received a call to say Nan had also died at the age of 98. As a family we find comfort in thinking the robin was Grandad’s spirit coming to be with Nan, as they were never apart for long.

“The walk was great fun with an amazing atmosphere. It was great to do something in memory of Nan and Grandad and contribute towards one day finding a cure.”

Over 5,000 people took part in the walk on the day, which was opened by BBC Midlands Today presenter Mary Rhodes.

There are more than 32,000 people in the West Midlands living with dementia.

Janice Le Tellier, Alzheimer’s Society Operations Manager for Birmingham, Solihull, Coventry and Warwickshire, said: “Dementia is now the UK’s biggest killer, with someone developing it every three minutes.

“Alzheimer’s Society is pledged to invest £150 million in the next decade in the search for better treatments and work towards a cure. Every pound raised through Memory Walk will help us provide vital information and support, improve care, fund research and create lasting change for people affected by the condition.”