The memory of her mum singing at the sink has led to a Cwmbran woman releasing an album of songs to raise money for Alzheimer’s Research UK.
Fiona Church lost her mum to Alzheimer’s Disease in 1985. Pat Lawrence was 48 and Fiona was 21. She remembers her mum singing songs while washing up the dishes.
“They are the songs mum loved and she would sing along to them while she washed up after cooking a delicious Sunday roast. My happy memories of a 1970s childhood, almost idyllic until devoured by this awful disease. She was still only in her 40s and life was never to be the same again.”
“I was 17 when her dementia began, my brother was 14. It was a frightening time as two young teens. My dad cared for mum at home, he was a fab dad. My mum died during the first year of my nurse training.
“You may have your own experiences of this disease which strips our loved ones of identity, dignity and life, leaving us a shell to grieve while sat with them in the same room.
“However as a positive to mum’s memory I have recorded this album and all the money raised will go to Alzheimer’s Research UK
Buy a copy of ‘Mum’s Washing Up Songs’
You can make a donation to her appeal through this JustGiving page. If you donate £10 or more Fiona will send you a copy of the CD.
