Two Franciscan Sisters Share Their Journey with Alzheimer’s

Sister Sheral Marshall, who has Alzheimer’s, and Sister Maureen Sinnott, her good friend and housemate, are Franciscan Sisters, who hope to ease the journey for others experiencing Alzheimer’s. 

The sisters belong to the same Catholic community as Sister Noella Dieringer who spearheaded the movement to build the first hospital in Santa Maria – Our Lady of Perpetual Help Hospital in 1940.

The name and location of Santa Maria’s hospital has been changed over the years as its ministry expanded to meet the growing population and their medical needs. In 1965, the Sisters of St. Francis broke ground on a new 125-bed hospital facility on land donated by Captain and Mrs. Allan Hancock, and in 1967 Marian Hospital opened. The hospital was renamed Marian Medical Center in 1990 and Marian Regional Medical Center (MRMC), its current name, in 2012. 

Sister Sheral has served on the MRMC Board for many years and Sister Maureen is currently serving on the Pacific Central Coast Health Centers Board. 

These are some experiences of their many years living with this disease.

Sr. Sheral: For months, Maureen realized that I was losing my ability to complete very simple, everyday tasks. I was forgetting to close the garage door, frequently dropping things, and running into furniture since my visual-spatial awareness was failing. She also realized that my driving ability was dangerously affected. I made excuses: “I was just tired that day.” The ability to drive means freedom, so this issue will be a major obstacle for anyone needing to convince another person to no longer drive. 

Sr. Maureen: Sheral was slowly declining, but because she was so articulate, she hid the signs from many others. She resisted, delayed, denied and kept minimizing my concerns about her driving. This is the beginning of the story of most caregivers, trying to get through all the resistance and hurdles to persuade your loved one to agree to the care she/he needs.

Sr. Sheral: The process of losing my memory was initially frightening to me and has become more aggravating as it has progressed. I have no choice as to what I remember or do not. What I am sure of is that God will be with me in this process, as God has always been.

Sr. Maureen: We are trying to live in the present moment, grateful to be living together, very thankful for the blessings of still being mobile, and reasonably healthy. We welcome this opportunity to encourage and advocate for others who are possibly dealing with this life-changing reality in their lives as well.

For information on neurological conditions treated by Dignity Health Central Coast, click here. The Alzheimer’s Association 24/7 helpline can be reached at (800) 272-3900 and extensive information on Alzheimer’s can be found at alz.org.