Using Humor in My Caregiver “Lessons” …
My life is ever-evolving. At almost 80 years old, I’m a comedian. That’s right…I make audiences laugh. Right through the tough topic I’m talking about—Alzheimer’s—the disease that’s been the uninvited guest in my husband’s and my life for the past 15+ years. Here’s how my speaking goes…. Following the event host’s intro, I gingerly go…
The Critics Have Spoken…
David Quiroa, Exec. Director of Cranston Dept of Senior Services says: “On Tuesday, September 24th in collaboration with the Cranston Public Library and Blue Cross Blue Shield of R.I. we were honored to host a local author, Colleen Kelly Mellor. I have to say that this presentation by Ms. Mellor has been by far the most…
A Yard Quilt of Memory
When one is younger, she (I give the preference to “she” because I can’t speak for men) doesn’t really consider memory, because she doesn’t have many memories in her cognitive vault. She’ll build them over a lifetime, with some being wonderful and some (hopefully not too many) painful. My friend, Jackie Damian, once spoke about…
Paul Wesley Gates and Colleen Mellor Marry After 33 Years
Mark Patinkin, a top journalist at Rhode Island’s Pulitzer Prize-winning Providence Journal, interviewed me and wrote up Paul’s and my story about our wedding this past December 16, 2023. He found our story intriguing—the kind in which others would be interested. We were 83 and 78 years of age and we’d been together in an…
Don’t Let Them Tell You (Caregivers) Otherwise:
A Caregiver’s First Duty and Commitment Reflecting over this past year, I am mindful of how very fortunate Paul and I have been. My decision to place Paul in a long-term care facility was a wrenching one; I was so very afraid; I wanted him safe but I didn’t want him staring at institutional walls…
The Road Less Traveled: Becoming Caregiver to Caregivers
I never thought, at my age, I’d become an advocate for caregivers and Veterans. How’d it happen? My personal experience that saw me felled by a disease that affects or will affect millions in the future—Alzheimer’s. Now–understand: I’m not even the person who has the disease. As wife and sole caregiver to my husband diagnosed…
Hitting My Stride as Caregiver to Caregivers
It’ll be my first really big speaking venue. Masonicare, a 245 unit senior living community in that lovely seaside town of Mystic, Connecticut, has commissioned me to speak before their residents who range from independent living, to assisted living and memory care. How’d they hear about the woman (me) who tells how to survive and…
Colleen Kelly Mellor: Guest Speaker
Paul and Colleen at Colt Park, Bristol
Her “Talks” Are So-o Important
ProJo Columnist and Long-Time Caregiver Gives Inspiring Talks: “Many Have Called Theirs ‘A Love Story:‘ “ Colleen Kelly Mellor was sole Caregiver to her husband, diagnosed with Alzheimer’s for 13+ years, but when she knew she could no longer do his 24/7 care, she sought out a residential place for him with which he–and she–could…
Coventry Library Will Host ProJo Columnist and Long-Time Caregiver in an Inspiring Talk:
“Many Have Called Theirs ‘A Love Story:’ 10 Reasons You’ll Want to Hear Colleen Kelly Mellor’s Talk? 10.Readers love her book as seen on Amazon Customer reviews. ***In 2025, Colleen plans to share important tips she learned over her 10+ years as sole Caregiver to her husband, diagnosed with Alzheimer’s: she weaves together anecdotes of…
