Walking for Maureen
This November, a dedicated group of trekkers will take on the Snowy Mountains as part of QBI’s Steps for Dementia challenge, raising funds in the fight against dementia. Among them is retired town planner, Neil Wilson, who will be walking in memory of his late wife, Maureen, who died from Alzheimer’s disease.
“I wouldn’t have been aware of QBI if it weren’t for Maureen,” he said.
“Because of her life and death, I feel I needed to put something back into the future and this research is the future, the closest we can get to a solution.”
A love story
Neil and Maureen’s love story began unexpectedly. Both had been married before, and after years on his own, Neil had given up on the idea of finding a new partner. Then, out of the blue, an introduction agency called.
“We met in 2002 on the Goodwill Bridge,” Neil said. “I’d almost given up on the agency, but they didn’t have enough men. Six months later I got this call and there she was.”
At the time, Maureen was working as the manager of an aged care facility, coincidentally running a dementia unit in Sunnybank Hills and later auditing aged care services across Queensland and New South Wales. Her compassion, dedication and professionalism earned her respect across the industry.
The pair married in 2006 and they built a life together filled with travel, family and shared experiences.
“Maureen was such a traveller, she planned all our itineraries, from Morocco to the UK,” Neil said. “She had such a love for the world.”
A shock diagnosis
Six years ago, their lives changed suddenly. Maureen was due for a routine hospital procedure when she experienced a severe anxiety attack days before.
During her hospital stay, Neil noticed worrying signs of disorientation.
“It was a shock,” he said. “I wanted to rest, but she was terrified I was leaving her and that’s when I knew something was wrong.”
A geriatrician confirmed the diagnosis: Alzheimer’s disease. It was particularly painful for Maureen, whose own mother had lived with dementia for 14 years.
Neil devoted himself to her care and for four years he supported Maureen at home.
“I felt like I owed her,” he said.
“I knew how much she loved me, and I needed to look after her.”
Eventually the demands became too great and Maureen had to move into private care. Maureen died surrounded by love, and her body was donated to the University of Queensland – a last gift to science.
Lessons in love
Caring for a partner with dementia is never easy and Neil is open about the challenges.
“There were times when I lost my temper and I feel ashamed about that,” he said.
“I was trying to help but I didn’t always understand that she wasn’t in the same world as me.”
He sought support from Dementia Australia, respite services and counselling. Navigating the bureaucracy of care services also gave him some control.
Steps for Dementia
Funds raised in the 2025 Steps for Dementia trek will support QBI’s new Peter Hilton Alzheimer’s Research Endowment Fund, dedicated to discovering treatments and therapies for this debilitating disease.
By participating, Neil is not only remembering Maureen but also contributing to research that could transform the lives of future families.
“She was a wonderful woman – a lot of people said to us, we thought you were the perfect couple.”