Edie Mayhew passed away in the arms of her partner Anne Tudor on Tuesday morning.
Her death, aged 69, was sudden and unexpected, but peaceful.
“I’m so thankful that Edie was gifted the quick and painless death she had hoped for and so deeply grateful we were blessed to have a gentle, peaceful parting as she lay in the arms of the one who loved her beyond words,” Anne told SBS News.
Anne and Edie welcomed SBS News into their Ballarat home back in January. They were generous with the time they had left together because of their passion to reduce the stigma around dementia.
Edie lived with dementia for 10 years. After overcoming her initial shock at the diagnosis, she chose to advocate and pave a smoother path for others who would be diagnosed with earlier onset dementia, that is, before they turn 65.
Edie dedicated the last years of her life to making her hometown of Ballarat more dementia-friendly and together the couple launched Bigger Hearts Dementia Friendly, Ballarat.
The project is ongoing and introduces ways to improve services and the quality of life of residents living with dementia.
The couple also decided to make the most of the quality time they had left. They went on five overseas holidays together and in January 2018 they got married.
Dementia Australia CEO, Maree McCabe, said everyone at the organisation is saddened by Edie’s passing.
The couple on their wedding day in 2018. Source: Supplied
“Edie, constantly supported by her wife Anne Tudor, was an extraordinary advocate for people living with dementia, particularly those with younger onset dementia.”
“After being diagnosed, Edie was committed to raising awareness about dementia and increasing understanding about dementia in the community.
“She spoke at conferences, summits and other major events in Australia and internationally.
“Edie did all this to make a difference for others impacted by dementia now and for generations to come.”
One of the couple’s greatest legacies will be a dementia sensory trail in the Woowookarung Regional Park. A Parks Victoria spokesperson said works on the trail will begin in the second half of this year and will be finished within 12 months.
“We are exploring options to have a section of the trail open in summer so that people living with dementia and their carers can get out and enjoy this part of Woowookarung Regional Park,” they said.
There are currently 450,000 Australians living with dementia and it is the second leading cause of death in the country.
