Nancy Morrill: From the Heart Caregiver Award

Nancy Morrill spent her life as a shining example of a caregiver, both personally and professionally, the AAA-Five County Caregiver Committee decided to her honor by creating the “Nancy Morrill: From the Heart Caregiver Award” in 2021.” This award was given out at the 20th Annual Seniors Conference on May 20, 2022

There were several Nominations this year and the winner was Jake Richey of Cedar City Utah. At the age of 21, Jake lost his mother Patricia to cancer, and she was the caregiver for her mother with Alzheimer’s Disease. Jake immediately took over as the Power of Attorney for his grandmother, Beatrice.

Jake makes medical decisions and financial decisions for her. He is on her care plan team at the assisted living Our House and helps her set goals to have community interactions. He will take her to get her hair done and out for dinner. At 25, he continues to be the main support for his grandmother.

“Jake Richey is a faithful grandson and a hero to his grandmother” said Brent Lewis of Cedar City. Jake was nominated by several individuals for his work with

his grandmother. Jake graduated from Cedar High School in 2015, attended Southern Utah University and now works for Mountain America Credit Union.

Honorable Mentions

Nancy Crowley: Nancy has been an advocate for her husband working to get his health care needs. Nancy also uses her time to help others on the Zoom meeting and share her experience and what she has learned. Nancy is active with other caregivers through Memory Matters.

Karen Eckman: Karen was a caregiver for her husband and daughter. She has been volunteering and assisting with Memory Matters for several years and continued to do so while she was going through cancer treatments.

Alex Broody: Alex moved home to care for this mother. He had to quit his job and move to St. George Utah. Alex attends support groups and assist others through Memory Matters. He is willing and takes classes to improve his caregiving and assist his mother to socialize.

Brad and Terry Cottam: Brad and Terry have been the ultimate volunteers for Memory Matters. They are seen at every support group, every event and assist wherever they can. They were caregivers and now they are caregiver supports.

Tracy HeavyRunner is our Home and Community Based Program Director.

She has been with AAA-Five County since 1996. Tracy graduated from Southern Utah University and is a Social Service Worker. Additionally, she is a certified caregiver coach through the Rosalyn Carter Institute and a Master Trainer for the Chronic Disease, Diabetes and Pain Self-Management Programs.