Today I honor my Grandma, Dorothy Williams, on World Alzheimer’s Day. I realize it’s not Kateryn Parr related — however it is in a way. My ancestors were at court during her life and reign. Dorothy descends from and is related to several Tudor figures.

Her roots run deep in history — her father, Joseph AKA John, was born a Smallwood and her mom, Sadie, was also of Aristocratic descent tying our family to generations who helped build and shape this country. But to me, she was Grandma: a woman of strength, love, and quiet resilience.

I remember seeing her in the nursing home — I felt so bad — she couldn’t move, she couldn’t speak but when I saw her she started to cry and tears came to her eyes … I think she remembered me… she always loved me like a daughter especially after losing her two baby daughters.

I used to visit her a lot after going to the National Shrine for Mass while she still lived in Mount Rainer, Maryland. She would make dinner and we would hang out along with her dog while watching whatever was on TV. She never remarried after my grandpa died and always talked about how much she loved him — he was named John but she called him Johnny.

My Dad, Chris, and her mother, Sadie, lived with her in Mount Rainer. Dad attended Catholic University for his masters after graduating from Ohio State. He met my mom at St John’s and they were married at Caldwell Hall in the early 80s. Sadie would remain in her household until she became too sick to care for herself. She went into a nursing home and died in 1992 after almost a Century of being alive. Born in the Gilded Age, my Nana died a few years before the Millennium.

In early dementia, Dorothy was placed in assisted living where she stayed for some time. She had to give up her dog which must have been heartbreaking. My mom ended up giving it away like it meant nothing. Misty didn’t deserve that.

After running out of money, she entered a nursing home where she died from Alzheimer’s on 11 September 2007. She was flown back to Columbus, Ohio to be buried with the love of her life and her two daughters who were buried elsewhere in the cemetery. At her burial, a blue butterfly landed on her casket. She was fond of monarch butterflies and I still have her magnet from her refrigerator somewhere in storage, but my family won’t let me have access to my belongings from my condo for well over a year now.

I had planned on walking/running for the cause, but I got injured and became sick at the end of 2017 and into 2018. And it’s been hell ever since. Instead of helping me with my health, my maternal family has been abusive and discriminatory towards me. I have had almost no help since my ex walked out. Everyone I go to refuses to get involved or sided with my abusive ex. Sure wish I had met someone like my Grandma married. I never met my Grandpa.

Alzheimer’s may have dimmed my grandma’s memories, but it could never erase who she was — or how she lives on through me. 💜