‘Woven with love,' 70-year-old wedding dress sparks memories for elderly woman living with dementia

CTV News

5 hours ago

One of the lovely community members, a radiant 93-year-old living with dementia, brought in her wedding dress to the Alzheimer Society of Grey Bruce in Owen Sound, Ont., from 69 years ago, and it looks like it was made yesterday. (Alzheimer Society of Grey Bruce)
Last week in Owen Sound, a single piece of fabric managed to silence a room full of people and open a floodgate of beautiful memories.
It wasn't just any fabric. It was a wedding dress, and not just any dress, it was a white, hand-crocheted garment made nearly 70-years-ago by a loving sister for a bride to be.
Today, that divine bride is 93-years-old and living with dementia. According to the Alzheimer's Society, dementia doesn't just refer to one specific disease. Rather, it's an overall term for a set of symptoms that are caused by disorders targeting the brain.
Woman
One of the lovely community members, a radiant 93-year-old living with dementia, brought in her wedding dress to the Alzheimer Society of Grey Bruce in Owen Sound, Ont, from 69 years ago, and it looks like it was made yesterday. (Alzheimer Society of Grey Bruce)
When the woman walked into the Active Living group holding the gown the entire room was captivated by all of its shimmering glory.
Perfectly preserved and delicate, the dress looked nearly identical to how it did decades ago. The intricate lacework crafted entirely by hand, 'You'll see the stunning detail and love woven into every stitch,' shared a staff member from Alzheimer Society of Grey-Bruce.
Members even adding that the dress looked like it was made yesterday.
And just like that, memories sparked. Staff said that one gentleman in the room even turned to his wife and, overcome by the reminiscent moment, asked if they could get married all over again.
Woman
One of the lovely community members, a radiant 93-year-old living with dementia, brought in her wedding dress to the Alzheimer Society of Grey Bruce in Owen Sound, Ont, from 69 years ago, and it looks like it was made yesterday. (Alzheimer Society of Grey Bruce)
The Alzheimer Society of Grey-Bruce is a local non-profit charity dedicated to supporting people living with alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia across the region.
Through different education, programs, and a strong network of services, they work towards raising awareness, and offering access to vital local programs, education, and services.
Staff say, in that special moment of reflection, they were reminded of just how powerful stories can be. Each individual in that room has a life filled with years of history.