This is the hardest thing I have ever had to write, to share, and to do. My name is Amy and my father, who is my world, passed away on Sunday, July 20th, 2025. He suffered for years with Lewy Body Dementia (LBD) and Parkinson's Disease. LBD is one of the most devastating, under-researched, and highly aggressive dementias that strips everything that makes someone who they are, leaving them with chronic confusion, worry, and uncertainty. My father worked hard all his life to care for his wife and children—working 3 jobs, coaching his children's basketball teams, attending all family events, and so much more. LBD is a fast-acting disease that begins to debilitate its victim early on, causing them to require a lot of daily assistance. My mother promised my father that he would stay living at home until he passed away (if at all possible), and she kept that promise. The cost of having healthcare professionals help with my father's care was astronomical, emptying their life savings. Then, when that was gone, they started to accrue debt, as my father's care was not optional.

My father deserved so much better in his twilight years than the terrible disease that plagued him. They both deserved better than what they got—but they still remained together and loyal to each other. It would have been 54 years of marriage and 56 years together in August of 2025. Now, we are trying to pay for things that they had saved the money for decades ago, but had no idea the kind of care that would have been needed and subsequently not be covered in their final years.

As I finalize the costs for my father's final expenses, I am prepared to go into debt to give my father what he deserves in his final resting place, if needed.

Thank you for reading our story and please consider learning about Lewy Body Dementia and helping in any way you can with research, volunteering, donations, etc., to conquer this disease. It is unforgiving, and I am unforgiving of it taking my father from me.

Sincerely,

Amy (Forever a Daddy's Girl)

Cremation: $2300

Cemetery Plot: $4200

Cemetery Service & Installation Fees: $1895

Memorial & Service Permit Fees: $625

Church Fees: $800

Urns: $50

Death Certificates: $120

Total Costs thus far: $9990