I’m Betty | Living with Alzheimer’s Disease

Wife Battling Dementia Lights up When She Remembers Wedding Photo on Husband’s Apron Is of Her

Bob and Betty Pettit of Mooresville, North Carolina, shared a love story that endured even as Alzheimer’s slowly took Betty’s memories. During her 11-year battle with the disease, there came a time when she no longer recognized the man she had married in 1959.

So Bob found a gentle way to remind her. Every morning, while making her breakfast, he wore an apron printed with their wedding photograph. The image became a bridge to her fading memories. In a moment captured on video, Betty looked at the photo, her eyes softened, and she quietly said, “That’s my guy.” Even when names and faces were lost, love still found a way to be remembered.

Betty Pettit, 85, who lives in Mooresville, North Carolina, is currently dealing with end-stage Alzheimer’s, which has seen her not recognize herself or know who her family members are.But in one sweet interaction with her husband Bob, 85, which took place on March 17, Betty found herself looking at a photo from one of the biggest days of her life, which caused memories to come flooding back.

Joshua Pettit has been taking care of his mother, Betty, for the past nine years.

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) – A Mooresville family is documenting what it’s like to live with Alzheimer’s disease, inspiring hundreds of thousands of people worldwide. He has surpassed a quarter-million followers on his TikTok account, which features the laughs and heartbreak associated with Betty’s disease.

“We suddenly realized we were shining a light on this disease that a lot of people weren’t necessarily familiar with or didn’t understand what that looked like,” said Pettit.The account blew up around Thanksgiving last year when Joshua recorded a precious moment of his mother talking to herself in the mirror, thinking she was talking to another woman.

The Pettit family says they noticed the signs of Betty’s Alzheimer’s when she was diagnosed with lung and kidney cancers nine years ago. With each surgery, her symptoms continued to progress. Ultimately, Joshua moved his parents into his Mooresville home.

Since his TikTok account has taken off, Joshua says it has given his mother a nice distraction, not to mention a smile each day when they receive gifts from her fans.“Recently, there was a video of her wanting a cookie for breakfast, and I wouldn’t give her a cookie for breakfast, and that created an internet outcry of people sending her cookies,” said Joshua.

Though it’s not an easy life, Joshua has found a way to take his mother’s disease and turn it into a positive.“We struggled with this and didn’t know if we were doing a good job or how we were dealing with this,” he said. “People were saying, ‘wow, you guys are handling this great.’ We looked at each other and said, ‘maybe we are doing a good job with this.’”

Being encouraged by her son, Joshua, 48, who was recording the moment, Betty was initially asked if she recognized the photo, which left her a little confused.

Then, pointing at himself on the apron, Bob asked who Betty thought that was, while Josh asked who was the pretty girl he was with.The father and son then said to Betty that it looked like a wedding photo, and when she started to make sense of who was who, the 85-year-old lit up, saying to Bob, “That’s my guy!”

Bob, with a rising across his face, then said: “That’s my girl.”

The video is one of many that Joshua shared on his social media channels, hoping to raise awareness of his mom’s condition, as well as the heartwarming interactions she and her husband are able to have.

Bob and Betty first met in 5th grade, and the couple have been married for 63 years.

Josh said: “It’s sad to see her in that state, but it has become the norm.

“My mom loses function every day, and most memories for her now are totally gone.

“The message that I hope people take from this video is to be kind to yourself.

I’m Betty – YouTube

“My mom’s very sweet and kind, even to herself in a mirror.”

Betty Jane Pettit (nee Howard), a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and community servant, passed away on July 19, 2024, at her home in Mooresville, NC. She was born on December 1st, 1937, in Cuba, NY to her loving parents Blanche D. (nee Johnson) and Leslie C. Howard.

Betty’s life was defined by her unwavering dedication to her family and the causes she held dear. She was married to Charles “Bob” Pettit in Ellicottville, NY on September 19, 1959, and together they raised three sons – Joshua T. Pettit, David L. Pettit (Marie), and John A. Pettit (Kimberly) – who were the light of her life. Her grandchildren – David R., Matthew J., Neil W. Pettit, and Elizabeth C. Dunfey (Kevin) – brought immeasurable joy into Betty’s world. Betty is also survived by her brother James W. Howard and predeceased by siblings William E., Donald L. and Donna L. Howard, and several nieces and nephews.

Throughout her lifetime Betty demonstrated an unyielding commitment to serving others through various avenues including school activities for her children as they pursued their dreams; church events for Churchill Memorial United Methodist Church and West Church LKN where she found solace in faith; Boston Volunteer Fire Company initiatives that allowed her to protect the community of Boston, NY she cherished so deeply; and Boy Scout programs where she mentored and supported her children and the entire troop.

Betty faced tremendous challenges throughout her life but always emerged stronger than before. As a two-time cancer survivor herself (Lung and Kidney) who fought valiantly against the disease with grace and courage inspiring all those around her with hope for brighter days ahead.

For the last 11 years Betty bravely confronted Alzheimer’s disease which tested not only her strength but also that of everyone who loved her dearly. Despite this formidable adversary, Betty refused to be silenced or defeated by it – instead becoming a beacon of inspiration as she shared candid insights into living with Alzheimer’s through social media platforms like TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube thus raising awareness to nearly a million followers about this debilitating illness while offering comfort & support to others facing similar struggles worldwide.

Her tireless efforts led Betty to become one of the Top 50 Fundraisers globally for the Alzheimer’s Association – raising over $70,000 for the disease – an accomplishment that reflected both the depth of compassion within herself as well as the profound impact she had on countless lives touched by this devastating condition.

A funeral service will be held at Cavin Cook Funeral Home in Mooresville on Sunday, August 4, 2024 at 1PM where friends & family can gather together one last time to honor Betty’s remarkable legacy. The family will receive friends and family from 12-1PM. In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation towards finding a cure for Alzheimer’s Disease via The Alzheimer’s Association- an organization close to Betty’s heart. Donate at ImBetty.com.

Betty will be laid to rest in Glenwood Memorial Park in Mooresville, NC and forever remain etched within our hearts as we carry forward memories filled with laughter, love, resilience & boundless kindness. Her spirit shall continue shining brightly through each act of generosity performed in remembrance; every moment spent cherishing family bonds; each instance when we choose empathy over indifference. May we find solace knowing that though physically parted from us now, she remains ever present within our souls guiding us along paths paved by enduring affection.

Rest peacefully, dearest Betty, knowing your legacy of love and kindness endures across generations leaving behind indelible footprints upon sands traversed by humanity itself. Betty Howard Pettit | Iredell Free News

Betty Jane Howard Pettit (1937-2024) – Find a Grave Memorial

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