A legacy in full bloom: Ron’s next chapter

One year ago, United resident Ron Freckleton took the stage at the Top 7 Over 70 Gala to share his story as an official honouree.

But Ron is no stranger to the spotlight. Following the passing of his beloved wife, Joanie, who lived with Alzheimer’s, Ron found a new purpose in sharing their story and advocating for caregivers and those living with cognitive decline.

It began with putting pen to paper. Ron wrote a memoir about his and Joanie’s life together, Our Time to Say Goodbye, chronicling their journey through the progression of her diagnosis and the realities of living with Alzheimer’s. What started as a deeply personal story has since grown into a broader mission to raise awareness, offer support and help others feel less alone. Ron donated the proceeds of his book to the Alzheimer Society of Calgary.

But, there’s more to the story.

Since the publication of his book, Ron has fully immersed himself in community outreach, becoming an ambassador for Alzheimer Calgary, an impact speaker for the United Way, and organizing countless local fundraisers for the greater Calgary community. His calendar is fully booked writing articles, taking media interviews, public speaking, and hosting meet and greets throughout the year, all to raise awareness for and reduce the stigma of living with dementia.

Closer to home, Ron continues to transform advocacy into action at Trinity Lodge. Each year, he plants dahlias in the community’s courtyards, giving residents and visitors the opportunity to “adopt” a flower as part of his ongoing fundraising efforts.

Ron and his family also sponsor a team for the annual Alzheimer Calgary Walk & Run (Team Freckleton and Team Trinity Lodge). And when residents of Trinity Lodge expressed a desire to take part in a walk of their own, Ron found another way to make it possible. He created the Walker’s Walk—a more accessible route around the Trinity Lodge community, giving residents the opportunity to walk together and support a cause that means so much to them.

On September 21, which also marks World Alzheimer Day, Ron attended the opening of the Martin Family Legacy Garden, Canada’s first dementia-inclusive park, sharing words of support and welcome before the official opening. “I found it so gratifying to see people living with Alzheimer’s recognized simply as people,” says Ron, “They’re our loved ones, and we’ll never stop loving them. That’s why creating spaces where people with memory loss feel welcome, comfortable, and included matters so much. Everyone deserves to feel that they belong and can continue to be part of their community, no matter where they are in their journey.”

This year, the Walker’s Walk at Trinity Lodge, held on October 2, will be taking a small detour: stopping by a nearby bench that will be dedicated to Ron for his fundraising and community outreach.

Kim McConnell, Top 7 Over 70 Chair, has continued to follow Ron’s journey since being inducted last year. “As a 2025 recipient of Calgary’s Top 7 Over 70 award, Ron Freckleton reminds us that age is simply a number and that contributing to a positive, productive community has no age limit. What he has accomplished since turning 70, particularly through his passionate advocacy for Alzheimer Calgary, inspires everyone fortunate enough to know him. Ron is an exceptional leader whose actions, optimism and commitment to others make our community stronger.”

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