CURE MAGA JAN26 DOUBLE PG-LINKS - Flipbook - Page 22
Happy times with friends
in Torremolinos on the
Costa Del Sol, Spain.
The following year their son Ian arrived. Returning to civilian life after Harry
served in the Royal Engineers, the family settled in Clay Cross, Derbyshire,
just three doors down from the house where Lucy was born.
Lucy later became a post lady – a job that suited her kind and conscientious
nature. She delivered mail in Clay Cross for more than 20 years, and many
people in the community still remember her fondly. And they enjoyed a
happy life together, filled with family, friends, and holidays.
But during the COVID-19 lockdown, Harry noticed that something was
wrong. Lucy, who had always remembered every birthday for family and
friends, began to forget. Once an avid reader, she went from reading ten
books a fortnight, to three, then none. Friends they visited in Spain also
expressed concern.
It took time to work out exactly what was happening, but eventually Lucy
was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.
Harry, who is disabled himself, cared for her as her symptoms worsened.
She began having mini strokes and losing her mobility, and sometimes she
no longer recognised Harry or Ian. Instead, she used the Derbyshire term of
endearment, ‘duck’, to cover her loss of memory.
Despite these challenges, many moments of love and recognition shone
through. On their diamond wedding anniversary, a card arrived from the late
22