The Alzheimer’s Association estimates there are 6 million people in the United States afflicted with some form of dementia. Most of them are female.

Corinne L. Patrick, my wife of 65 years, died on July 27, 2020. She had seventh-stage Alzheimer’s disease and died from a heart attack.

Alzheimer’s is progressive and has no cure. It is also inherited. The picture at the right shows Corinne’s mother and her four sisters. Four of them died with Alzheimer’s.

There are medicines to slow Alzheimer’s down if used early enough. We didn’t.

Corinne raised two sons; anchored my consulting business; helped design a ranch with solar house and airstrip; ran a roadroller; could fly a light airplane in an emergency; planted an orchard; and put up with me.

My work took us all over the U.S. and sometimes to Europe. We worked hard, eventually unwound in Atascadero, and retired at Merrill Gardens in Santa Maria.

To leave a condolence for the family, visit www.dudleyhoffmanmortuary.com.