The Real NotebookNicholas Sparks depicts the story of a woman suffering with Alzheimer's and the care that her husband provides until they both pass away together in the same bed.Although the book presents a love affair between a husband and wife and the challenges of dealing with Alzheimer's, the story is romanticized and doesn't show the true ugliness of the disease and the real challenges that the primary caregiver has to endure.Alzheimer's just doesn't take away the memory, personality and life of the one you love and cherish, but it brings out the love and affection of the ones who care.My parents were never very demonstrative with their affections in front of people so it was quite surprising to see the love and devotion that was displayed over the last 17 years of my mother, Irene Robinson's life.My Father, Bill Robinson, became the primary care giver: bathing her, dressing her, applying her makeup, combing her hair, taking her to appointments and continuing to take her shopping and out to dinner for eight years until one day when Mom fell in public (due to her weakened condition" and Dad could not pick her up.It took a lot of convincing from the family to get my father to agree to place Mom in a nursing home nine years ago. We were afraid the strain on my Father and the danger of living in a two-storey house could be fatal to both of them.Bill would drive from Whitby to Pickering to visit Irene every second day and would take her for walks and then eventually pushing her in a wheelchair. Finally, in the last few years he sat with her as she couldnt see, speak or hear.I would come to my parents' house and see my mother's slippers still on the staircase and the doll that the Alzheimer's Day Care program gave her sitting on the couch. Her clothes and jewelry were just as she left them.One day recently, I took the slippers off the stairs and placed them in the closet.The next day the slippers were back on the staircase with an explanation that this is where her slippers belong and maybe one day she will be back home to use them again.Irene Kathleen Robinson (nee Mitchell) passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 3, 2014 at Community Care Nursing Home in Pickering after a 17-year battle with Alzheimer's.She was a beautiful and caring woman who loved her husband of 63 years, her three sons (Rick, Chris and Kim, daughters in law Susan and Diane, and grandchildren Rebecca and Brent) with all her heart.Irene was a devoted Christian who was a Member of the Anglican Church Women's League at St. Matthews in Oshawa. She loved painting and tending to her beautiful flower gardens which she planted by seed.Although, Alzheimer's stole the last 17 years of my mother's life. she was a beautiful graceful lady who always looked her best and always presented herself with class and dignity right to her last days.Thank you to the nurses and care workers at Community Care in Pickering!  Our family appreciates the care you provided Irene over the past nine years.This journey was the true "Notebook".The funeral service will be held at St. Matthews Anglican Church, 135 Wilson Road S., Oshawa on Wednesday, April 9th at 11 a.m. with visitation at the church one hour prior to the service. Interment Bowmanville Cemetery.In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the following:Alzheimer Society of Durham RegionOshawa Centre -- Executive Centre419 King St. West, Suite 207Oshawa, ON L1J 2K5Tel: 905-576-2567 or 1-888-301-1106Fax: 905-576-2033Email: information@alzheimerdurham.comhttp://www.alzheimer.ca/durhamSt. Matthews Anglican Church Building FundSt. Matthews Anglican Church135 Wilson Road SouthOshawa, OntarioL1H 6B9Phone: (905) 725-9841Fax: (905) 725-9562