Some educators teach information. Others teach understanding.
Doreen Coulson Putnam did both—beautifully, consistently, and with a rare kind of gentleness that stayed with people long after the seminar ended. Following her passing on October 17, 2025, members of her community have come together to nominate Doreen for CDP of the Year (Posthumously)—a tribute that reflects the lifelong work she dedicated to dementia education, advocacy, and compassionate care.
As one nominator wrote, “Doreen’s light will continue to shine.” That sentiment echoes across every message shared in her honor: she wasn’t simply knowledgeable—she was present, relatable, and deeply human in the way she taught others to understand Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.
A lifelong teacher—by calling, not just by career
Doreen’s obituary describes her as an educator and advocate who believed in the enduring power of love and learning. Her professional path reflected that belief at every stage: she began as a Health and Physical Education teacher and coach, served as a volunteer coordinator and nonprofit administrator, and earned a Presidential Recognition in 1984 for her work coordinating volunteer efforts.
But in the final chapter of her career—more than 30 years of dementia education and support—Doreen’s purpose became unmistakable. Through her consulting practice, DCPutnam Consulting, she educated thousands of families, caregivers, and professionals on how to approach memory loss with empathy, patience, and grace. Her work helped people not only learn what dementia is, but also how to respond—with dignity, skill, and compassion.
Training that people remembered because it felt real
Across multiple nominations, a consistent theme emerges: Doreen taught in a way that made learning stick.
Anna Marie Kijanka, CLTC, described Doreen’s talent for using everyday props and tools to make complex dementia concepts relatable and memorable—transforming training from lecture into lived experience. That style made dementia education accessible to people from many backgrounds, including professionals and family caregivers who were often carrying stress, grief, and uncertainty.
Apryl Garrett, Publisher of Seniors Blue Book Pittsburgh, shared how Doreen led an Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care Seminar with depth of knowledge, compassion, and personal touch, weaving in personal stories and real-life experiences so the content came alive. Rather than simply covering disease progression and care strategies, Doreen created an interactive environment where learners could connect, ask better questions, and leave feeling equipped to make a meaningful difference.
That’s what the very best dementia education does: it moves people from information to confidence—and from confidence to better care.
Compassion that extended far beyond the classroom
Doreen’s impact wasn’t limited to professional training rooms or community seminars. She showed up for people personally, often when they needed support most.
Nicholas A. McNutt, MPH, CDP, described Doreen as someone who exemplified compassionate care—continually promoting best practices while teaching the importance of kindness in everyday actions, especially when working with those living with dementia. He also shared that even while facing her own battle with cancer, Doreen remained steadfast in checking in, offering encouragement, and sharing hard-earned truth as he navigated his father’s lung cancer diagnosis and loss.
These stories matter because they reveal something essential: Doreen didn’t teach empathy as a concept—she lived it as a habit.
Reaching the next generation with her children’s book
Doreen’s legacy also reached children and families in lasting ways.
Her book, Sometimes Grandmamma Doesn’t Know Me (often shared as “Grandmama Doesn’t Know Me Anymore”), was written to help children understand dementia—giving language to confusion, grief, and changing relationships, while guiding families toward connection rather than fear. Inspired by her own experience, it tells the story of two young girls trying to make sense of what is happening to their grandmothers, learning how to love and communicate through the challenges of memory loss.
Through the generosity of a philanthropic grant, Doreen distributed her books at no cost to thousands of people throughout Western Pennsylvania—an extraordinary act of service that speaks to her belief that dementia education should be accessible, practical, and offered with open hands.
A mentor, a small business owner, a guiding light
Doreen’s influence also extended to fellow business owners and community-based care leaders.
Gina Iuliucci of Dementia Care Solutions LLC shared that Doreen was extremely committed to dementia education and training, working tirelessly to support caregivers who were in desperate need of support and guidance. She also emphasized how Doreen consistently made time to encourage others—answering questions, offering advice, and helping fellow professionals build their own capacity to serve.
In other words, Doreen multiplied impact. She didn’t just deliver training—she developed people who could carry training forward.
Why this recognition matters
A posthumous recognition can never replace a person’s presence. But it can name something important out loud: that this work—this kind of teaching, advocacy, mentorship, and kindness—matters deeply. And it can remind us what excellence in dementia education looks like:
- Clear, relatable teaching that meets learners where they are
- Practical tools that translate into better care immediately
- A human-centered approach grounded in empathy and dignity
- A commitment to serving families, not just systems
- The courage to keep showing up—even while carrying personal hardship
Doreen Putnam embodied these values in a way that changed people—and by changing people, she changed care.
As one supporter wrote, she was a cherished member of her community and one of the kindest souls they had ever known. That is the kind of legacy that outlives a single career, a single organization, or a single community.
Carrying Doreen’s legacy forward
At NCCDP, we know that dementia education is never “done.” It is ongoing—because care teams evolve, families change, and the needs of people living with dementia remain urgent and real. Honoring leaders like Doreen Putnam is one way we strengthen the standard for what dementia education can and should be: compassionate, practical, and transformative.
Doreen’s light continues to shine in the professionals she trained, the caregivers she encouraged, the families she helped, and the children who found understanding through her book. Recognizing her as CDP of the Year (Posthumously) would be more than an award—it would be a tribute to a lifetime of meaningful work that elevated dementia care for an entire region and beyond.
With gratitude for her life, her service, and the love she put into learning.
Nominations and reflections shared by: Anna Marie Kijanka, CLTC; Apryl Garrett; Nicholas A. McNutt, MPH, CDP; Gina Iuliucci.
