paths to cross only briefl y throughout
the week, but when they did, the couple
did everything together, which Thomas
believes made their relationship remain
strong and everlasting.
The Gambrells attended church to-
gether every Sunday, never attending
a service without their other half, until
Mary’s illness worsened in recent years.
Mary began developing both dementia
and Alzheimers in 2010, though Thomas
would say that her illness hasn’t changed
their relationship at all.
The church and their love of God
played a strong role in their relation-
ship’s strength, marking the place where
they fi rst met and the bond that held
them together for so long. Thomas con-
tinues their worship from home, begin-
ning each morning by reciting a prayer
aloud to God, to which Mary smiles and
laughs.
“She always laughed a lot, she loved
to smile … I never heard her say a bad
word in my life,” Thomas said of his wife,
also noting her beautiful singing voice
and the solos she would sing in the
church choir.
At 98 years-old, Thomas takes cares
of his wife, knowing her better than
anyone, every noise and expression of
hers an instant translation in his mind.
Though she may forget her vast family
from time to time, as many dementia
and Alzheimer’s patients do, Mary never
forgets Thomas, her life-long love.
HUNTSVILLE LIVING | WINTER 2020 |
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