Edward Pascoe first laid eyes on Kendrick Hoe when they were sophomores at Shades Valley High School in 1953. The quarterback and cheerleader went on to be named “Cutest Couple” and Valentine King and Queen of their senior class. That was just the beginning of their lifelong romance. Years later, Edward would say he and Kendrick were “mated for life.” Nothing could dim their love—not even Alzheimer’s disease.
Their great love will be celebrated when Edward, along with daughter and son-in-law, Harriet and Hampton McFadden, serve as Honorary Chairs of Alzheimer’s of Central Alabama annual walk on November 8. This year’s Walk theme, Celebrating Happy Days, is a fitting tribute to the quintessential couple’s magical love story.
How appropriate that the pair’s favorite song was Dean Martin’s, “Memories are Made of This?” After marrying in 1958, Edward and Kendrick settled into a home near Crestline Village, where they raised two daughters, Harriet and Ginger, who now resides in Texas. Petite in stature, Kendrick was known for her fabulous hairstyle—teased, sprayed and perfectly coiffed for decades. Ever the devoted husband, when Kendrick could no longer do her hair herself, Edward asked Harriet to teach him how to roll it.
But it was Kendrick’s positive spirit that set her apart. When she met you, she made you feel as if she was overjoyed to see you even when she couldn’t remember your name. She lived by the motto, “When you put your feet on the floor, it’s going to be a good day!” Alzheimer’s never diminished her cheerful outlook, though it eventually limited her speech. Her go-to phrases became “Heavenly days!” and “Oh, happy day!” Edward describes it best: “It was a blessing—Kendrick’s personality never changed, but it was like the volume had been turned down.”
Like many caregivers, Edward says his greatest challenge was watching his sweetheart decline. He admits that during that time, he wasn’t as focused on his own health as he was on Kendrick’s and wishes he had accepted help sooner. Fortunately, the couple were surrounded by loyal friends who continued to include them in their regular Friday dinners at the Birmingham Country Club. Even when Edward had to cut Kendrick’s food and feed her, they were always welcomed at the table.
Kendrick also attended Encore, the respite program at Canterbury United Methodist Church. Six local congregations host similar programs that bring people living with dementia together with volunteers for four hours of fun and laughter—giving caregivers a much-needed break. These hours allowed Edward time to play golf and stay connected with friends. Harriet often picked her mother up from Encore with her enormous dog, Blitz, in tow, and the trio would make a run to Chick-fil-A. While Kendrick enjoyed the waffle fries, Blitz devoured the chicken nuggets. Harriet laughs, “Every time Blitz stuck his nose over the seat for another nugget, Mom would exclaim, ‘There’s a dog in the car!’”
During their Alzheimer’s journey, Harriet and the Pascoe family found support from Alzheimer’s of Central Alabama (ACA). ACA is a local organization that provides education and advocacy for the dementia community and focuses on providing services to assist low-income Alabama families care for their loved one at home. Since 2001, ACA has invested annually in UAB’s Alzheimer’s research efforts. This year ACA is supporting two students who have been named Lindy Harrell Pre-Doctoral Scholars in Alzheimer’s Research.
The core of ACA’s mission, however, is helping families who are hurting today with the services they need to be able to provide care in the home. ACA currently provides respite, nutrition and incontinence care for 270 people living with Alzheimer’s in 18 Alabama counties. Over 40 percent of these families to have monthly incomes that are less than $1,000. Incontinence products alone can cost over $100 a month, rendering incontinence care a luxury when in reality it is a medical necessity.
Walking to Remember
Join the Pascoe family and the dementia community on November 8 for ACA’s annual Walking to Remember event at 300 Office Park Drive in Mountain Brook. Registration begins at 9 a.m., and the walk steps off at 10 a.m. Bring family and friends to help raise funds for ACA’s
programs. All money raised stays in
Alabama to support Alabama families. Walkers donating $50 receive a short-sleeved T-shirt; $75, a long-sleeved T-shirt; and $100, a shirt of their choice plus a special gift (while supplies last). The morning will include music, food, fun and a vintage car show. For more information, visit alzca.org or call 205-871-7970.
