08/26/2026
If you recall, on a recent trip to find Green Valley's wind phone, a helpful woman pointed me in the right direction and handed me a copy of a book she had written. That woman was Judy Meagher, and her book “Running Bear Loved Little White Dove: The Charming Side of Alzheimer's,”chronicles the story of how she cared for her late husband, who faced Alzheimer's disease late in life. Judy and Mike met while working one summer at Yellowstone National Park, and knew they were destined to be together. Each park employee had a nickname, and the pair earned the nickname Running Bear and Little White Dove. Judy, a kindergarten teacher in California, and Mike, a college student in Norman, Oklahoma, maintained a long-distance relationship for two years before marrying. They had three children: Ken, Marcy and foster son, Luis. Mike later became a school principal and was known as an outgoing man who could light up a room.
Life was good until Judy learned Mike had suffered a heart attack and was flown to Billings, Montana. He was placed on a heart-lung machine for an extended period, raising concerns that major heart surgery and anesthesia might cause memory loss.
The first sign of trouble came at 2 a.m., when Mike frantically called his son, Ken, and daughter-in-law, Shellie, telling them to come armed and quietly because his nurses did not believe he was in distress. Because he had been reading about gunfights the previous evening, the family attributed the episode to his medications. The next morning, Mike loudly demanded a stack of pancakes. Though it was not a healthy choice, they gave him one, which he slathered with butter and syrup.
After they returned home, Mike's memory problems persisted, forcing him to reluctantly retire from the job and faculty he loved. He soon needed a pacemaker and was eventually diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.
Judy became his dedicated caregiver, aiming to keep him safe and loved. Written without traditional chapters, her book presents short episodes detailing how she managed the disease.
She allowed Mike to continue routine activities, such as shopping. Ever friendly, he spoke to everyone and often promised to send them birthday cards. Judy had to stay vigilant, however, as he would pocket small items, which she quietly removed before checkout. She also encouraged their grandchildren to play games with him.
During lucid moments, Mike recognized his decline and began telling people about his diagnosis, which helped others better understand his behavior. For Judy, life became a cycle of putting away items Mike had "organized." Patient and accepting, she began to view her role as teaching a child with special needs.
When he was clearheaded, Mike wrote letters to loved ones outlining his final wishes. He loved music and dancing; while Judy practiced line dancing, Mike joined a men’s group, bringing humor and joy to the class.
In later stages, Mike had conversations with his deceased parents. He spoke more rationally in his sleep, but while awake, he began mistaking Judy for his mother and insisted she should not be sleeping in his bed. At night, he experienced myoclonic movements — involuntary muscle jerks — and his size and strength resulted in him physically hurting her once.
Judy enrolled him in an adult day center, which worked well while he believed he was volunteering, but he was eventually dismissed for failing to follow instructions. Someone suggested hospice care. While hospice generally does not accept patients with only Alzheimer’s, an evaluation determined Mike qualified due to his underlying heart condition.
The service provided Judy with much-needed support.
One day, Mike clearly told her, "I can’t do this anymore." His mobility deteriorated, his confusion deepened, and he spent his days staring, sleeping and experiencing bouts of anger and anxiety. He was moved to a memory care facility and died two weeks later.
While the book is a love story, it is also a testament to faithfulness, perseverance, devotion, courage and endurance in the face of life's greatest challenges.
