Colleen Kelly Mellor: Guest Speaker
The Critics Speak: Colleen’s Recent Presentation on Az and Me: A Partner’s Journey with Alzheimer’s
“Our library was so pleased to have Colleen Kelly Mellor present “A Love Story: Our Journey with Alzheimer’s” last week (Feb 26, 2025) . She brought humor and energy to an otherwise difficult topic, keeping the audience engaged and laughing. She shared her story of her own experience with her husband’s diagnosis, and gave terrific, unapologetic advice for caregivers. We had encouraged attendees to bring friends and family, and our audience included people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, along with their caregivers, friends, and other loved ones. Mellor answered lots of questions and engaged everyone in conversation. She gave great tips for interacting with medical professionals, how to get access to different resources, and how caregivers can take care of themselves to be able to sustain in the long term.”
Jessica Carsten, Assistant Director, Coventry Public Library, Cov., RI
Previous Reaction to My Talks
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.
Based on her new book “Az and Me: A Partner’s Journey with Alzheimer’s” Colleen provided us with a rare window on her world as a Caregiver.
#1–“I have to say that this presentation by Ms. Mellor has been by far the most insightful and heartwarming depictions of what a caregiver goes through on the journey of lessening the impact of memory loss on a loved one, while trying to remain sane and healthy in the process. Colleen Kelly Mellor not only touched a chord, but she also touched everyone’s hearts and souls during her presentation. She made it about us, the caregivers!”
David Quiroa, Assist. Dir. Cranston Department of Senior Services
#2–“An insightful presentation… Sharing her life and how she arrived at where she is today was incredibly moving. How she has met each of her challenges head on is extraordinary. Her practical tips are eye openers for any caregiver. Her presentation should be heard not only by caregivers but by everyone. She is truly a role model on coping skills!”
Maria Rondeau, Health & Wellness Coordinator, Cranston Department of Senior Services
The Public’s Reaction to my Talk:
- Exeter Town Councilman Cal Ellis: “Your presentation was very effective and engaging. Kudos to you for your candor and sincerity.”
- Former Prov Journal Op-Ed columnist, Daniel Harrington, says: “A Wonderful presentation…sublimely important and yet so engaging!”
- Margaret Voit, former West Warwick High School graduate (and one who ‘loved my Dad,’ her principal): “Wonderful presentation!! Keep it going!!”
- Lynne Holden says “I hope you can come to Johnston Senior Center.”
- Former Cranston school principal, Linda Casey, describes “a stellar presentation.”
- Ann M. Harper-Sheriff offers: “You brought tears to my eyes. You were brilliant.”
- JoAnn Lovett adds: “Congratulations! This is good work and so necessary…As a fellow retired Cranston teacher, I am so proud of you for the good and much-needed work you are doing. God Bless!”
- Sandra Nolette says: “I enjoyed your presentation Tuesday night.”
- Rebecca Nero says: “Such an important book, needed by many!”
- Christine Testoni says: “I got your book and I can’t put it down!”
*** My intent is to go everywhere with my message, saving Caregivers from mistakes I made. My book, Az and Me: A Partner’s Journey with Alzheimer’s is easy-to-read and ‘enjoyable’ (according to others). The “chapters” are super-short and I share our experiences and offer tips and suggestions to make your life easier. The mix of my poetry (some are downright funny), photos and texts is ‘refreshing’ according to Dr. Norman Gordon, former Head of Neurology at Miriam Hospital. Three Top RI Docs recommend my book, along with a host of others.
Az and Me: A Partner’s Journey with Alzheimer’s…5 stars on Amazon’s Best Sellers’ List.
To date, Colleen’s Caregiver message has been the focus in the following media:
1. Mark Patinkin wrote about Colleen’s and her husband’s recent marriage on ProJo front pg. May 26, 2024)..
2. Barbara Morse-Silva interviewed Colleen for a NBC Ch 10 Health segment on Colleen’s new book, as Alzheimer’s Caregiver.
3. RI Dept. of Health (with Cranston Sr. Services and Cranston Central Lib) sponsored Colleen as their featured
speaker on Alzheimer’s in Sept, 2024
4. Colleen spoke at Narragansett Library Nov. 7.
5. Colleen was podcast guest of The Rhode Island Wave. Dec.‘24.
7. Colleen and her book, Az and Me were featured in East Greenwich News on Dec. 10, 2024.
8. Colleen was the feature story on Jan. 20th “Ocean State Stories by former ProJo writer G. Wayne Miller.
9. She was featured in northern RI’s newspaper with the largest circulation, The Valley Breeze, Jan 30, 2025.
10. Front pg story in Kent County Times, Feb 22, 2025
11. Colleen guest spoke at Coventry Lib, Feb 26, 2:00 PM
12. Colleen has just been featured in Herb Weiss’s column, in Blackstone Valley Call and Times on Feb. 28 and in RI NewsToday on Monday, March 3, 2025.
13. April 17, 2025, at 10:30 Colleen will speak to the Leisure Learning group in East Greenwich on her book, Az and Me: A
Partner’s Journey with Alzheimer’s. This will be the 3rd time this group invites her speak to their group, attesting to her
value as presenter (twice in this past year, earlier on her book Boomerrrang and now on Az and Me.)
14. B.Eli will have Colleen as Podcast guest in Vermont.
The following speaking dates are coming up:
East Greenwich—Leisure Learning—April 17
Bristol (Rogers Lib.) May 6, 6:00 PM
Charlton (Ma.) Public Lib., June 10, 2025, at 6:00 PM for their “Dementia Friendly Massachusetts” program.
***Mystic guest speaking event is in planning stage.
***More dates will be added in coming months
*** Colleen hopes to speak in Asheville, NC, in late spring/summer, since she and her husband lived there, half time, for nine years and it’s where the precipitating event in Paul’s Alzheimer’s disease occurred (the accident).
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Colleen Kelly Mellor, author of 4 books and articles that appeared in the WSJ, AP, and World News, is a former feature writer and monthly Op-Ed columnist for the Providence Journal. As a professional speaker, Colleen has gone before the Association of RI Women Professors; she’s given a Ted Talk at Salve Regina and she has appeared as guest on podcasts and TV shows. She now goes before audiences, inspiring them as to how they can survive—and even THRIVE—despite life’s difficult challenges.
colleenkellymellor.com
