What kind of person gets a tattoo for their 90th birthday? The same kind of person who goes skydiving at 80 and rides a hot air balloon at 70! As active as ever, Mary Strzelecki is just that person. And although these feats are impressive, they are only a few of the remarkable things Mary has done throughout her life.

By her own account, the most extraordinary thing the retired nurse and great-grandmother has done in her life is build a beautiful family with her husband, Lee. Sadly, Lee died in 2010 following a long journey with Alzheimer’s disease, throughout which Mary was his caregiver. Their steadfast dedication to one another began in Swift Current, Saskatchewan, where the couple met at a party. What about Mary caught Lee’s eye? 

“He told me, ‘I saw that you were well-organized,’” Mary says with a laugh. 

Not the most typical trait to attract a young man, but Lee was smitten. A   high school teacher with a passion for music, Mary was just as impressed by his musical talents. 

“Violin was his instrument,” she says. “He had perfect pitch. If you were out of tune, he would know. Even on the radio!” 

Lee asked for Mary’s help in organizing the women’s synchronized marching group, which was the beginning of a life together.

This connection over music held strong until Lee’s death. The night before his journey with Alzheimer’s ended, Mary turned on their favourite tunes in Lee’s room. 

“He hadn’t opened his eyes or talked to me for a year,” she says. “And I said to him, ‘If you can hear the music, tap your toes.’ He tapped his toes.”

Lee’s creativity reached beyond his talent as a musician. He was a great dancer and even designed dresses that he had specially made for Mary. Together, their romance took Mary and Lee from the Prairies to the West Coast and throughout the Pacific Northwest, moving 14 times in 16 years. Finally, with three kids in tow, it was a welcome change to settle down in Coquitlam in 1972, where the family lived for more than 30 years.

Lee’s initial symptoms came on so slowly that Mary didn’t notice. It wasn’t until family came to visit one Christmas, months into Lee’s journey, that they noticed some changes to his behaviour. Once brought to her attention, Mary noticed he struggled with writing cheques and making his way around areas he knew well. Following a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease in 2001, Mary took on the role of caregiver. While her career in nursing prepared her for many aspects of providing care, it was Mary’s dedication and love for her husband that pushed her forward. It was a time of change and adjustment. 

Among the bigger changes that took some getting used to for Mary and Lee was moving from the home where they’d lived for 30 years — where they’d raised their family and made so many memories — to a home in South Surrey that was more suited to their situation. The walkable community turned out to be perfect. Not only were shops and amenities nearby, but it’s also where Mary first connected with the Alzheimer Society of B.C.  Lee was at the point where Mary didn’t want to leave him at home alone. 

“I needed someone to come in while I went out,” she says. “The Society was able to connect me with a wonderful woman who would come in and help. Lee taught her to play the mandolin!” 

Mary also started going to a caregiver support group, where she connected with other care partners who understood her experience. 

“I made some wonderful friends there,” Mary says. “It helped just to talk.”

Mary became involved with the IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer’s almost as soon as she connected with the Alzheimer Society of B.C. and hasn’t missed a Walk since 2005. She was a volunteer for the organizing committee and co-chair for five years. Mary has been a driving force in organizing fundraising events for the Society for many years. She, with a team of her friends, organized silent auctions, garage sales, car washes and many other successful events. She was always amazed by the number of people who gave and continue to give because they know someone affected by dementia.  

Even now, Mary remains an advocate; she often refers neighbours, friends and family who are caregivers to the Alzheimer Society of B.C., so they can benefit from the education and support as she did.

Twenty years later, and as tenacious as ever, Mary is thrilled to participate in the IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer’s as this year’s honouree. It is inspiring that, even in her 90s, Mary is determined to show up and fundraise for a cause close to her heart.