By the age of 90, Maria had been many things to many people: a much-loved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, auntie, neighbour and friend. She was warm, strong, and deeply caring. In her final years, though, Alzheimer’s took away many of the memories she held dear.

Alzheimer’s is a cruel and relentless illness. It doesn’t just affect memory — it gradually takes away independence and, eventually, the body’s ability to function. Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s can be exhausting, relentless and heartbreaking.

The Cypriot Community Day Centre became a real lifeline for Maria, and for us as her family. It was a place where she was treated with patience, kindness and understanding - where she could still enjoy herself and have moments of joy. In the last stages of her life, those moments meant everything. The support the centre gave Maria also gave us reassurance and comfort of knowing she was in safe, caring hands.

In lieu of flowers for Maria's funeral, the family is asking for donations to the The Cypriot Community Day Centre. The Day Centre needs donations to continue running. Please give what you can, not just in memory of Maria, but for the many elderly people they continue to support.

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