Oh Frank, you have your very own angel now. You and your children did the very best anyone could do and now you all can rest knowing that your Audrey is safe and at peace.
Frank, I never know what to say... but in this one instance, a first for me, along with the sadness I also felt a measure of relief to see your *...... such a long hard end .....and I cannot help but feel grateful her journey has finally ended and that she has at last found peace. I am glad all of you were able to be there with and for Audrey as she was set free from her chains. I want to say so much, but I can't find the words to express what I am feeling....... I am sorry for the loss of your beloved Audrey. I hope in time the happy memories can help you heal and bring you comfort. You remain deep in my heart, thoughts and prayers. Much love ♥ and lots of ((hugs))
Audrey was blessed to have you and your children taking care of her. I know you must feel blessed to of had her in your life as well. My condolences to you and your family.
Phranque, My heart is saddened for your loss, but happy that Audrey's struggle is over. You have touched so many lives by inviting us into your home during a very personal and difficult time, but we who were watching and cheering from the sidelines are blessed for having been there. You have given us a glimpse of true love, you have honored your Lord. Prayers continue for you and your family in the days ahead.
Sending sincere sympathy to all on the loss of such a wonderful woman...Yes she is well and whole and singing joyfully and will ever more be looking after her wonderful family from her glorious position in heaven which she more than richly earned. We here at Joan's are so fortunate to have known her through you...we all send our love to you and the whole family and wish you peace and rest too.
My prayers go out to you and your family. The long road of caregiving has finally ended. Now it is time to reflect and then move on. My personal feeling is one of joy that their pain and suffering is over and now the rewards of the best part of this journey are beginning. Praise be to our merciful and loving God.
Sorry for your loss Phranque, words cannot express how all of us on the "sidelines" feel after you allowed us to follow on your journey,you set a high standard for LO's care that few if any could duplicate,I think when you get that boat an sit back an relax a book would be in order,you write so well an I really believe we all could learn much from your past few years living with this vicious disease,prayers for you an family
Sincere Condolences Phranque to yourself and your two children on the passing of dear sweet Audrey ,now at peace and whole again ,you are all in my thoughts and prayers God Bless
Indeed , Phranque*, Audrey, you and your family won. Alz sent her home--on her terms. You and your kids saw to that. In the process, you shared with us what it took,how it went. In an unwinnable war,your family won the most important battles. Audrey went home in dignity and love and you and your family , though battle weary, are still with us. Now, you'll celebrate Audrey's life and begin the healing process. Give yourselves time to rest and heal. Peace be with you.
You have my utmost sympathy for your deepest loss. Know that Audrey is at peace and looking down on you and your family. She couldn't have had better caregivers.
I rejoice with you and your children that Audrey has gone home to Heaven, I also weep with you in your profound loss and sadness. You my friend have taught me a wonderful lesson in love, patience and compassion. I have felt for several years that this horrible disease had been draining me of those wonderful emotions and had begun to doubt if I could be capable of ever feeling them again, or if I would continue in ROBOT phase to mearly get the job at hand (caretaking) done. I will always come back to your posts when I start to feel the human leave and the robot move in.
Phranque, I know that you have hard days and weeks ahead. Audrey was so blessed to have been loved by you. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers, yes we do serve a wonderful and merciful GOD.
Phranque and family, prayers of thanks that Audrey was a blessing in your lives before AD or you all wouldn't have blessed her so richly throughout this ugly disease. Prayers of thanks that she passed with dignity surrounded by her family. Now, I'm also praying for peace and comfort in the days ahead.
Sending prayers your way. You have showed us all how to fight fight fight. Thank you for showing what vows mean to all of us alzheimerspouses out here. I am doing for my husband what you have done for your wife and that is to be there no matter what. Your love that you shared with Audrey will carry you through.
Phranque, please accept my sympathy and prayers as well. Audrey is at peace now. You and your family have been an inspiration to us all, with your love and devotion to each other. Stay in touch and let us know how you are doing.
Dear, dear Frank - Peace and love to you and your family. What a wonderful testament of love you have all shown. Audrey's suffering is over - I hope you gain strength from that knowledge.
Phranque, no words can express what your example has meant to us all. You and your family have been wonderful examples to us all. WIll pray for you and your children as you enter a new stage of life. God bless you all.
Dearest Frank*, such a mixed bag of emotions. So glad that Audrey's suffering is over. I'm sure there is rejoicing in Heaven. I'm so very proud of you, Kevin & Kim for the victory over the Demon Devil of Dementia. You have all earned your Purple Hearts for wounds sustained in battle. Wear your Purple Heart and your *Star* proudly for you have been The Example of what a Caregiver should be. In time I pray that all the good memories will flood your heart and you will smile again. Remember that we are and alway will be here for you. Be kind to yourself, God Bless. Arms Around and Around, Susan*
I don't have the words to fully say what I want to tell you. I am so proud to know you Phranque*. Your kindness and humor in such a hard time have given me courage to keep up the good fight for my DH. You have given so much to us. I wish I could be there to give some back.
You Phranque* are one of a kind. I pray that the weeks ahead are eased by the loving thoughts and memories of your dear wife Audrey. She was blessed to have you, Kevin and Kim. My unending love to you all. God Bless........
Dear Phranque*, It's so sad when a loved one leaves us, but I know that you realize that she is now in heaven singing with the angels & that she is whole once again. God bless you & your children for taking such wonderful care of her. Be strong & give yourself time to rest. You are an inspiration to us all!
No words can tell you how I feel,you are the exception to caregiving ,if only I had that kind of compassion in me, I took the easy way out and let someone else do the caregiving,forgiving myself is hard,you hung on till the end, what a wonderful feeling that must be,my god be with you and your family in your healing process,my prayers are with you
My deepest sympathy to you and your wonderful children. I've only been in this for a very short time and I've learned from you what keeping the vow "in sickness and in health" really means. May God give you peace even as you grieve.
This is the draft copy of the obituary....subject to proofreading, as soon as we stop sleepwalking....
Audrey Ducharme, 58, died August 26, 2011 after an 8 year battle with Early Onset Alzheimer’s. She passed away in her home with her family by her side. She was born June 14, 1953 in Auburn ME where she spent her childhood. She attended public schools and graduated from High School in 1971. She retired from helping students with special needs to further employment in real estate. Preceding her in death were her parents, Raymond and Carmen Bermudez, brother Ray Bermudez, and sister Juanita Bermudez. Audrey was the beloved wife of Frank Ducharme for over 37 years and beloved mother to Kevin Ducharme of Sebring, and Kimberly Smith (Jason Smith) of Sebring. She is survived by her two grandchildren Mackenzie Smith and Connor Smith. Audrey will forever be remembered by her siblings Rico, Skip, John, and Faye. From a very young age, Audrey loved performing and being on stage. She enjoyed playing the guitar, singing, having fun with practical jokes and pranks, and helping others. She touched the lives of many people with her infectious laugh, her generosity, and her willingness to do anything for anyone. Audrey maintained her sense of humor and love of pranks until the very end. Friends and family are invited to attend a memorial service on Monday August 28th at 4:30 pm at Stephenson Nelson Funeral Home Sebring Parkway, Sebring, Fl 33870. The family requests that all donations be sent to Works in Faith, P.O.Box 809 Sebring, Fl 33871. (863) 382-4332.
She survived by her husband, Frank Ducharme, her son Kevin Ducharme, her daughter Kimberly Smith (Jason Smith),
My sincerest condolences to you, Phranque and your family. I know you all are hurting and saddened by Audrey's passing. She is whole again and recalling those days will help you smile again, not now maybe, but eventually.You have shared your journey with us and we are better for knowing your humanity, steadfastness, humor, compassion and love. You are the definition of a good man. You may be feeling broken and heartsick for a while. Take time to heal and be at peace.
Praying for God's Blessing for you and your loving family. All of you has been an inspiration to all of us. May you find peace in your memories of her.
As I wake up each day one of the first things I do is check this site scared to see the post but knowing it will be the best for Audrey, you and your children. Today was no exception. I am rejoicing in Audrey's journey with this disease being over, but filled wth sorrow for you and your family. Such mixed emotions at this time for everyone. Please take care, hug, love, cry, remember, and heal. We are all still here for you and will continue to keep you, Kim and Kevin in our prayers. Please don't leave us Phranque, we still need you in our lives. We will be here to learn from you. We love you and kids and feel like a part of your family. The obituary is a nice remembrance of Audrey. Love, hugs, and prayers for all of you.......
jang no she is hanging on by a thread. and it could come at anytime. We pray it will be soon and then her suffering will be over also. thank you for asking
SOB...sob...OK Phranque...suck it up.....I am indeed touched by the outpouring of support that I have received from all of you...sniffle,sniffle...sob....bawl...etc I have not ended this fight...Hospice has listed the cause of death as "failure to thrive", and I got on my warhorse, called the medical examiner, and insisted that the cause of death be early onset alzheimer's disease...I would not accept failure to thrive...so I did suggest other causes of death...failure to breath, failure to live, failure to laugh...etc. She has just called Hospice, Hospice called me, the funeral home called, and they are all eager to go home for the weekend, and therefore, the death certificate is being changed to "Early onset Alzheimers disease. Maybe I am being petty, but I want her death to be reflected in this horrible tragedy of a disease, and this is my final statement... OK...Busy morning for me....notified social security, made funeral arrangements, wrote obituaries, notified the life insurance company, notified retirement plan, delivered cremation urn to the funeral home, arranged the "Celebration of Life" memorial for Monday at 5pm...for more updates, visit www.stephensonnelsonfh.com for information..,.we will also be posting the slide show presentation somewhere (to be decided).
There can be no greater pain than to lose someone to eoad, and at times it is overwhelming...but I do rejoice that she has been freed from the alz devil's grasp, and she is now singing in heaven....If you listen closely, you probably can her singing Hell is for Children (Pat Benatar)...or Amazing grace, etc...or even "Color my world".....Gosh I miss her.....Put the pain of the past 10 years into one moment, and that is how I feel.....