Our beautiful Mum, Dawnie was diagnosed with Young Onset Alzheimer's disease at aged just 58 and, after a stoic five year battle, sadly died from it at age 63. Her final hours were peaceful, and she was able to say goodbye to all immediate family members. Dawnies' family miss her dearly but are relieved that she is no longer suffering. Throughout her Alzheimer's journey, the Admiral Nurses were an incredible support to Dawnies' children; their support cannot be understated, helping with compassionate advice, guidance and empathy at every stage.

Dawnie was a keen motorcyclist in her youth and she trained as a motor bike instructor. She used to love telling the story of when she rode to Scotland on her motorbike as a teenager, following her family's car from their home in Worcester. She was a trained chef, who proudly served in the Territorial Army and enjoyed exercises with them in Denmark before she had children. With a sweet tooth, Dawnies' favourite treats to cook were cakes and desserts, she used to sell her cakes, which were enjoyed by so many. One of Dawnies' favourite outings would be to enjoy 'mocha' coffee and cake (or afternoon tea!) with her children and friends. She loved children and when her children were small, she worked at the local playgroup, became a qualified childminder and worked as a support worker at Hanley Castle High School, which was one of her favourite jobs. In later years she worked as a Support Worker for Headway, taught cookery classes at Worcester College of Technology and trained as an NVQ Assessor. Dawnie never stopped trying to develop her skills and also took a night class to train as a Massage Therapist. She also completed Maths classes, to overcome her fear from school, thinking her whole life that she may have dyscalculia.

The past 24 months, in particular were a real battle for Dawnie, after declining to the point of requiring around the clock support she moved into Residential Care. The staff took extreme pride in providing her with compassionate, person-centred care and she felt very happy and safe in that environment. Sadly, 18 months ago she experienced extreme delirium, which required a traumatic hospital stay from which she never full recovered with countless medication changes, agitation, mobility loss, seizures, vocalising, limited communication and inability to feed herself.

Dawnie's bravery in the face of this horrific illness was truly inspiring; she always tried to see the positives, despite what she was facing. She was remarkable, regardless of all of her struggles she never expected anything from anyone and her gratitude for everything and the little things was incredibly humbling - she always thought there was someone who was worse off than she was, as she said she had 'so much'. She was such a beautiful soul, inside and out, who always bought her comfort and everyone warmed to her childlike spirit and cheeky glint. Dawnie was surrounded by a wonderful collective of friends and family, alongside her children who ensured that she continued to get out and enjoy life throughout her journey. She loved horse-riding and visiting her horse, Mr Bud, who she owned for 23 years and who lives on happily 'with his mates', he bought her so much joy and companionship. She enjoyed many 'bucket list' items such as a Helicopter ride over the Malvern Hills where she saw Mr Bud and her house; a Bird handling experience where she flew a Harris Hawk, British Kestrel and Screeching Owl; Warwick Castle seeing the Birds of Prey Experience; West Midlands Safari Park, where she had a 'VIP meet the seals experience'; holiday with her children to Devon and pony trekking in Dartmoor; Cadbury's World; and the Sealife Centre. Dawnie proudly became 'Animal PA' to the budgies who moved into her Care Home and even got her own badge! She loved music and her radio was always on - she particularly enjoyed Rock Music and loved to dance and head bang - bringing a lot of laughs and joy to those who joined in with her. Keenly green-fingered, Dawnie was extremely proud of her garden and vegetable patch. Her love of gardening was enjoyed for many years at the Well Bean Gardening Club and she had a beautiful garden outside her care home window, designed and cared for by a wonderful friend.

Dawnies' children are so grateful for the lessons that she taught them, and everything they learned through becoming carers for her. Becoming a Granny bought an immense happiness to Dawnie, who dearly loved her baby Grandson - whose arrival bought her overwhelming excitement, pride and joy.

Rest in peace, beautiful, kind, Dawnie, your memory will live on in your three children and Grandson - we all love you more than words can do justice.