COUNTY LIFE
Memories fade, love abides – Janet McMurray attempts to savor each moment as Alzheimer’s slowly steals her husband
By BARBARA GREEN
Each day when Janet McMurray sees her husband, Clyde, she says “I am Janet your wife, I love you.”
Not uncommon, but it’s different for Janet because her husband of 54 years may not recognize her that day because he is suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.
One in nine people age 65 and older has Alzheimer’s, the most common type of dementia. One in three seniors dies with the disease or another dementia.
It accounts for an estimated 60 to 80 percent of dementia cases. An estimated 5.3 million people are suffering with the disease.
It is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States and the only cause of death in the top 10 in America that cannot be prevented.
Alzheimer’s disease was first identified more than 100 years ago, but research into its symptoms, causes and risk factors and treatment has gained momentum only in the last 30 years. Research has revealed a great deal, but much is still left to be learned about the precise cause of Alzheimer’s and why it progresses at different rates among affected individuals, and how it can be prevented, slowed or stopped.
The greatest risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease is advanced age, and while age is the greatest risk factor, it is not a normal part of aging and is not sufficient to cause the disease. Individuals who have a parent, brother or sister with Alzheimer’s are more likely to develop the disease than those who do not have a first degree relative.
Janet and Clyde McMurray on their wedding day July 22, 1961. (Courtesy photo)
The McMurray’s fell in love while attending Texas Christian University and wed in summer of 1961. They both enjoyed careers as educators and were looking forward to travel adventure after they retired. Fate has dealt them a cruel hand as Clyde is a victim of Alzheimer’s the same disease that took his mother.
Read the full feature on Janet and Clyde McMurray as the couple battles Alzheimer’s Disease in your weekend News.
Pictured: Janet and Clyde McMurray on one of their last European River Cruise as they enjoy a turn on the dance floor.
Local libraries wrap up their children’s summer reading programs this week.
The Bowie Public Library brings the popular Creature Teacher with all their spectacular animals for the final event on July 23 at the Bowie Community Center.
The program begins at 10 am. The children also will receive their prize books for their summer logs.
The Nocona Public Library ends its program at 10 a.m. on July 24 at the H.J. Justin Building at 100 Clay Street. The program will be “Our Own Action Heroes -” Nocona fire, police and EMTs.
Top photo – Smokey Bear visiting Bowie last week at summer reading.
Rachel and Roger Whitaker gave this metal storage container a fresh look with this colorful mural at the Bowie Animal Shelter. (Photo by Barbara Green)
Swim lessons for youngsters of all ages were conducted the past two weeks at the city pool. It was a good place to be during this summer heat. See more photos in the weekend News. (Photos by Barbara Green)
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