A love everlasting: Kay and Larry Gleeson have been happily married for almost 50 years. Kay, an elementary school teacher and Larry, an insurance adjuster. The couple worked hard and played even harder. They traveled a lot and took part in lots outdoor activities like softball and golfing. But it was in 2003 when Kay started noticing changes in her husband.
“We were playing cards. I think there were 12 couples. And as we were leaving, he said ‘the jacks are special, aren't they?’ And that was in Euchre,” said Kay.
Larry also began having trouble with math. He became disorganized and started forgetting important deadlines. One in particular cost him his job.
Not long after he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's; a diagnosis that changed everything.
“In a way I've lost my best friend. I've lost my lover. I've lost my husband,” said Kay.
The disease may have taken away Larry's ability to communicate the way he once did, but he found another way to let his girl know she is still the one.
“The ring was something that just came out of the blue,” explained Kay.
During a drive Larry told Kay he wanted to get her a "big ring." Kay didn't understand at first, so she dug a little deeper.
“I've learned to play this game to figure out what he's trying to say. Then I said, ‘are you asking me to marry you?' And he says ‘yes, I want to marry you.’ And I said ‘Larry we are already married. We've been married for almost 48 years.’”
She even showed Larry their wedding photos. But he was determined to give her a second wedding ring.
“So we picked out this ring that he liked and that I liked very much.”
After his diagnosis Larry and Kay did all the traveling they could before it was too late; from Ireland to Alaska to a cruise through Hawaii. But it's the ring - always on her right hand - serving as a perfect reminder that true love is something that can never be forgotten.
“This will always be very, very special for me,” said Kay.
As Kay will attest education is the key when it comes to the disease. Alzheimer's Association of Greater Indiana offers classes aimed at helping patients and their family.
