A Sad Goodbye
It’s with a heavy heart that I tell you our much loved Carol passed away 10/4/2021 at the age of 97. Yes, NINETY-SEVEN! That means when you read her stories and saw her videos, you were watching a 95 year old give fashion advice and happily pose for a photo session with Cali for us. Carol’s session was during Alzheimer’s Awareness month, November 2019 and just prior to the pandemic and lock down.
There is so much I want to say about Carol and her daughter Robbie as well as the team members of The Legacy in Georgetown-now known as Truewood by Merrill. The Legacy of Georgetown generously sponsored this event for Doggies for Dementia Foundation (Thank you Shilpa Patel and Carissa Fawley for making this happen!) and participated in a beautiful way. You’ll see this in the video below. The sessions, images and videos are gifted to families by Doggies for Dementia.
Carissa Fawley recommended Doggies for Dementia to Robbie believing correctly that Carol would be perfect for our program. Once we had a chance to chat, Robbie was all in.
As the session drew closer, Carol confided in Robbie how she had dreamed of being an actress. This was a surprise to Robbie! When I heard this, the wheels about creating a red carpet affair for the ‘reveal’ where we show her photos and videos for the first time began to take shape. I imagine Carissa began to fear the emails as they came from me with ideas and a growing Red Carpet celebration, but she never let on. Thanks to local stores like the Pink Poppy Boutique, team members of The Legacy Georgetown (now Truewood by Merrill), Amazon.com for their overnight delivery of red carpet and Oscar statues and most importantly Robbie, we created a magical surprise and evening for Carol. Honestly, it was magical and special for all who attended.
It was so special, the local media of KVUE and KXAN joined in to share this beautiful story in such interesting ways.
I know our place in her life was short in relation to 97 years, but the time I spent with Robbie and Carol will forever be in my heart. Carol said things to me and my video camera about her daughter Robbie that even surprised Robbie. Words like “I never knew she felt that way,” touched me so deeply because I know how many of us can say the same. You must see the video slideshow!
Rather than write more details, I’ll share links to the blogs and videos. Please take a look and comment. I’ll be sure Robbie and other members of Carol’s family sees them. While their grief is deep, I imagine seeing your comments will be witnessed as the love they are.
Carol’s Photo Sessions and BIG Reveal!
People and Alzheimer’s Disease
You might notice how while we photograph those impacted by dementia, our focus is on the person. We are all people who carry some burden in our history or our health or otherwise. We are people first. Carol was a beautiful woman who had Alzheimer’s Disease, a form of dementia. She was first and foremost a beautiful woman.
About Doggies for Dementia Foundation
Doggies for Dementia is a 501c3 corporation with a mission to provide beautiful experiences and memories for those impacted by dementia using photography. We are also advocates with sights on raising awareness through education, so nobody has to experience the pain of stigma, isolation and loneliness. Experts Dig in with Doggies for Dementia is our program with interesting and informative interviews with experts from all realms including family members and professional caregivers. Grab a cup of coffee, pull up a chair and join us!