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Page was particularly difficult, but within a year Ruth's violent episodes ceased and she no longer needed medication to sleep. She became "the gentlest, sweetest, most tranquil person to look after you could imagine" Stokoe says. In fact, Stokoe was able to find amusement in his wife's behavior:
Half the time, when she gets out of bed at night, she doesn't let goof the cover and the down comforter but takes them with her. This morning I found one draped over the railing at the top of the stairs. Sometimes she takes it into the bathroom with her. So far I've been able to save it from getting dunked in the toilet bowl. Somewhere along the waythank the Lord, to whom I've prayed about thisI learned to avoid losing my temper and blowing up and cursing or banging things around. I just seethe humor in it and let it go.10
Stokoe sold his motorcycle soon after the illness was diagnosed, saying, "It wouldn't do either of us any good if I were stuck in the hospital after a spill" He spent almost all of his time with his wife.11
Ruth Stokoe's illness devastated the entire family. The terrible loss is apparent in a letter to Bill from his granddaughter,
Jennifer.
Oh, I had the most vivid dream about Grandma a couple of nights ago. In my dream it was my wedding day . . . and I was getting ready to go down the aisle. Mom and my friends . . . were all helping me with the last-minute things. Then, I
asked everyone to leave the room so I could be alone fora couple of minutes. Once they left, Grandma came bursting through the door asking, "Wheres my granddaughter the bride" Then she came over and hugged me, looked at my dress and said, "Oh, this will never do take that dress off. I always told you you'd wear mine. There, now you're ready to go down that aisle. Take a look in the mirror" Then I turned to look at myself in the mirror and turned back to give Grandma a hug and she was gone. It startled me so much I woke up. I even walked around the apartment looking for

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