"The Jack people knew isn't here anymore, but pieces of my husband are. And I'm going to hang onto them for as long as I can." These are the words Suzi Hanna shared with The Columbus Dispatch of her husband's diagnosis. Jack Hanna, a famed zookeeper, was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in October of 2019. Unfortunately, he is now in the advanced stage of the disease.
Because of his current stage, Jack rarely remembers his family. He shares three daughters with his wife: Kathaleen, Suzanne, and Julie. Yet he can only remember his wife, his dog, and Kathaleen (on occasion).
“He just stopped remembering who I was in all ways," Suzanne shared. "Whether it was in person or by phone, he had no idea I was his daughter. I think it’s because he didn’t see me as much because I got married so young and I moved away.”
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“My husband is still in there somewhere,” Suzi shared. “There are still those sweet, tender moments — you know, pieces of him that made me and the rest of the world fall in love with him. It’s hard. Real hard some days. But he took care of me all those years, and so it’s my turn to take care of him.”
