As Lynn Wenger stood at the Promise Garden Ceremony during the Walk to End Alzheimer’s – Iredell Co. & Lake Norman last year, he held a purple flower high—a symbol of someone lost to Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia. In that moment, he reflected on how he had come to be there, honoring the memory of his beloved wife, Wendy, who passed away in January 2024 after a six-year battle with younger-onset frontotemporal dementia.
Though grief weighed heavily, Lynn kept moving forward, one step at a time. Encouraged by the senior care center where Wendy had spent her days, he joined their Walk team and channeled his sorrow into purpose. That year, he became the team’s top fundraiser. Now, he’s formed his own team—Team Wendy—and serves on the event’s planning committee.
“I was surprised by how many people I knew who were participating in the Walk and how many lives have been touched by this disease,” Lynn said. “It gave me a way to fight back and help others navigate this difficult journey.”
A dedicated journaler since 1985, Lynn documented his daily life in detail. These journals became the foundation for his memoir, A Husband’s Memoir: A Journey Through Alzheimer’s, which chronicles Wendy’s diagnosis and their shared experience.
Before her diagnosis in 2019, Wendy was vibrant and active – part of a book club, a neighborhood Bunco group, and a member of her church choir. But subtle changes began to surface. She struggled to retain what she read, found driving at night increasingly difficult, and eventually had to step away from choir when she could no longer follow the music.
Family and friends who were around her daily didn’t notice the slow changes happening, but those who saw her less frequently took notice and became concerned.
While those closest to her didn’t immediately notice the changes, friends who saw her less frequently expressed concern. At just 58 years old, following a PET scan, MRI and cognitive test, Wendy was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia—a condition that affects personality, behavior, and language. As the disease progressed, the gentle and mild-mannered Wendy became more vocal and agitated.
“For about 20 months after her diagnosis, medication helped slow the progression,” Lynn recalled. “But a urinary tract infection triggered a six-week health crisis that marked a turning point.”
In 2022, Wendy’s mother passed away after a nine-year battle with Alzheimer’s. Just three months later, Lynn’s father died from cardiac complications. Returning home after handling both losses, Lynn realized he needed help caring for Wendy. He found an adult care center where Wendy could spend her days. A former nurse, Wendy believed she was there to work – checking in on the older residents as if they were her patients.
“Wendy would do her rounds every day,” remembers Lynn. “It kept her busy and gave her a sense of purpose. We let her believe she was there to help.”
Eventually, Wendy required full-time care and moved into an assisted living community. Just five days after settling in, she was hospitalized with another urinary tract infection. Following her hospital stay, she entered hospice care and passed away seven weeks later.
“We were fortunate that Wendy never forgot who her family was,” Lynn said. “She loved spending time with her grandchildren. Her dementia affected her behavior—there were outbursts and a lot of curse words,” he added with a laugh.
Writing his memoir and participating in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s have helped Lynn cope with his loss and support others facing similar challenges.
“I’ve met many people who’ve lost a spouse or partner in different ways,” Lynn shared. “Loss is never easy, but dementia is truly a long goodbye. That can be both a blessing and a curse.”
This year, Lynn hopes to raise $2,000 for the Walk. His strategy includes making a personal donation, reaching out to his network, and sharing the fundraiser on Facebook.
“Wendy’s family history makes her sister and our daughter nervous about their own futures,” Lynn said. “Supporting the Alzheimer’s Association allows us to contribute to research and hopefully change the outcomes for others.”
LIKE LYNN, WE ALL HAVE A REASON TO FIGHT FOR A WORLD WITHOUT ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE. Join your local Walk to End Alzheimer’s today as an individual, team, or sponsor.
Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s®:
The Alzheimer’s Association hosts 17 walks across North Carolina. The Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Since 1989, the Alzheimer’s Association® mobilized millions of Americans in the Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk®; now the Alzheimer’s Association is continuing to lead the way with Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Together, we can end Alzheimer’s.
Walk to End Alzheimer’s 2025 dates in North Carolina:
| Alamance County | 9/27/25 |
| Asheville | 9/27/25 |
| Charlotte | 10/18/25 |
| Fayetteville | 10/25/25 |
| Gaston/Cleveland/Lincoln | 10/11/25 |
| Guilford County | 10/25/25 |
| Henderson County | 9/27/25 |
| Iredell Co. & Lake Norman | 9/27/25 |
| Jacksonville | 9/27/25 |
| Moore County | 9/13/25 |
| Mount Airy | 9/20/25 |
| New Bern | 10/18/25 |
| Rowan-Cabarrus | 10/4/25 |
| Unifour | 10/25/25 |
| Triangle (Raleigh-Durham) | 10/4/25 |
| Wilmington | 11/1/25 |
| Winston-Salem | 11/16/25 |
Alzheimer's Association North Carolina Blog 