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When my Grandfather died suddenly at 81 years old (I say suddenly since he was not ill he had a heart attack and passed away) we thought my Grandmother would soon follow. They were married 54 years and were completely devoted to each other. We should have known better, my Grandmother was always a strong, persevering woman was not ready to follow so soon.

Unfortunately, 10 years after my Grandfathers death, my Grandmother had a stroke which resulted in dementia. While the disease took it's time destroying her, I spent the next 3 years watching a once proud, independent, intelligent, involved woman reduced to living in a nursing home, drooling over her food, not knowing anyone in the family and the final indignity, wearing a diaper.

At her end, at 91 years old, I prayed she would go on with God. My prayers were to remove her from the pain and suffering she was going through. The night she passed away a nurse was in her room. She told us later when we went to collect her things, my Grandmother opened her eyes, put out her hand as if to take someones hand and in a clear voice said "Buddy" then she died. What this nurse could not have known was that my Grandmother called my Grandfather Buddy throughout their marriage. After the nurse told me what happened, I knew my Grandmother was with my Grandfather and with God. Finally at peace.

My prayers go out to the Reagan family. I wouldn't wish this disease on my worst enemy, let alone a man as great as Reagan.

My prayers go out to the Reagan family. I wouldn't wish this disease on my worst enemy, let alone a man as great as Reagan.

Agreed. That's why I posted the link to the Alzheimers Association. We really should be paying more attention to this than AIDS - AIDS, we know how to prevent - Alzheimers is far more difficult.

Regards, Ivan

I'll never forget watching Pat Nixon's funeral on C-SPAN with my parents. When Richard came out, he was so shattered that he could barely walk; I've never seen so much emotional pain on one man's face before in my life. My mother took one look at him and said, "He can't survive without her; he'll be gone within a year." And he was.