The book, Our Fine Romance, is the kind of love story that most will never know. Yet, this is the true story of the lives and love of Michael and Maureen Harbott.

 

Thirty years ago, Maureen started typing out her family history and tales of growing up in London, England during the Second World War. She encouraged Michael, who also spent his childhood in London, to do the same. So Michael, who couldn’t type at the time, wrote his contributions by hand and Maureen typed them out. Their collaboration took 12 years, then sat untouched for several years while Maureen’s symptoms of dementia progressed. Finally, Michael wrote the last chapter and immortalized their story in print.

“She never really knew that we had a book,” Michael says. “What a wonderful legacy to leave. It was an amazing achievement and I never thought I could do anything like that. If Maureen hadn’t started writing I never would have done it.”
The Harbotts lived in South Africa, Zambia and finally on the west coast of B.C., settling in Delta, where they raised their four children. One of Maureen’s great accomplishments, Michael says, was making it to Canada and building the life she had hoped for.

“She’s a wonderful partner,” Michael says. “Our life had many challenges and she always supported me.”

Maureen now lives in long-term care, with support from Michael, as well as their children and many grandchildren who often come to visit. Michael regularly attends the Alzheimer Society of B.C.’s caregiver support group in Tsawwassen, and fundraises to help ensure others have access to the same support and education they do.

“When we started with this disease, there was quite a stigma,” Michael says. “People didn’t talk about it, but you can’t escape it. By being open, it draws other people to you.”

Michael also donates a portion of the proceeds from the sale of their book to the Society, while their two youngest grandchildren host bake sales and a lemonade stand to help support the Alzheimer Society.

Join the Harbott family this May for the South Delta IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer's. Together, we make memories matter.