Mrs. Fay Reese Alexander

December 8, 1932 - January 5, 2018

Today, we said “good-bye for now” to a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, wife, eternal educator, and best friend. A Tribute to a Wonderful Mother If God allowed us to start over and choose anyone we wished as our mother, we would choose you again. But, we would remember this time, to thank you every step of the way. We would thank you for the endless nights you worried about us when we were sick or hurting, for protecting and caring for us at all costs, for always taking time for us, for teaching us right from wrong, and teaching us to love God as you did. And lastly, for seeing the best in us, when we couldn’t find anything good about ourselves. In our darkest hours, you have always been our light. Alzheimer’s did not win, Mom, it only slowed us down so we could tell each other how deeply we loved each other on a daily basis. It allowed us to spend quality time together that we might have missed in this hectic world. Alzheimer’s did not win when it brought out the worst in us, it taught us how important apologies are. It allowed us a precious glance at Heaven when you looked at a large sketch of Jesus hanging on the wall at a respite facility we visited, and you, very clearly (for the first time in weeks) and very, very, excitedly exclaimed, “Oh! - I know Him!” From the depths of Alzheimer’s chambers, you recognized your Savior, and we believe it was Him you were reaching for in your final hours on Earth. Your Alzheimers gave us the chance to help you through your second childhood, as you had helped us through our first. Please forgive us for not mastering patience (as you had) and realizing how fragile our time together was-you did a much better job. Alzheimer’s did not win in the very end when it took you from Earth because you will live forever in all of our hearts. We will never forget you, Mom, the little southern belle, a member of The Order of the Eastern Star, and a Daughter of the American Revolution, always the perfect lady, who used your finest clothing to stop the bleeding from our bicycle wrecks, let us squeeze your fingers until they turned blue-so shots were less painful, and the mother who flew across continents to help us with our children. We know in our hearts that everyone you knew has similar stories of your courage and love. We will never forget your sweet laughter, listening to you make up your own words to songs on the radio, making words from signs and licenses on trips, dancing with Bo in the kitchen, baby talking us all the way through adulthood, watching you close your eyes and smile on trips while listening to your favorite parts of “The Magic of the Night,” and hearing you say, “I declare (de clay yuh)” in a way that only you could say. Alzheimer’s did not win; God did. You don’t have to point to the title of the CD playing in the car, “Don’t Forget to Remember Me.” How could we EVER forget YOU-our mother, our best friend? We will love you forever, Your daughters In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Hospice of St. Francis, 1250-B Grumman Place, Titusville, FL 32780.