Kind. Generous. Thoughtful. These are just a few of the words Bob MacDonnell's children use to describe their dad, known to all as ‘Lucky Bob.' In May 2021, Bob, 83, passed away peacefully after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease.
In tribute to the late founder and those impacted by Alzheimer's, Round Pond Estate released a special commemorative wine called Honouren. The label showcases photos of those living with or who have been lost to Alzheimer's, and 25 percent of proceeds are donated to the Alzheimer's Association.
With each label, Round Pond Estate provides the opportunity for loved ones to submit an image and a story. From these submissions, a collage of people impacted by Alzheimer's are featured on the label for each vintage. From the 2022 vintage releasing in fall 2024, Round Pond Estate and the Alzheimer's Association are honored to spotlight these individuals and their stories.
A tribute to Bob MacDonnell by Ryan & Miles MacDonnell 
Bob had an outrageous sense of humor — and sense of humility. He felt very fortunate to have succeeded in life and wanted to help others at any opportunity. After his passing, we have learned just how much. People have shared all the times he gave them advice, or helped them out, instances we knew nothing about. He didn't need credit for doing all the things he did for others. It was just who he was as a person. He spent a lot of time imparting advice and wisdom. He always wanted to pass on ways to live your best life to everyone he knew.
A Tribute to Rosemarie by Chef Danielle Sepsy
I'm from a big Italian family in Long Island, New York. Growing up, everything always revolved around food. The baker supreme, my grandma Rosemarie, was the epitome of selflessness. My parents share stories about going on vacation and returning to find me and my siblings with trays of snacks in front of us, TV blasting, and grandma treating us like kings and queens. That was her nature. She made everyone feel special and cared for. She taught me what family is all about.
Through my experience with Alzheimer's, I learned that time is precious. When my grandma started to forget, my dad knew that we needed to cherish moments with her. It brought her so much joy to revisit the times she made recipes with her own family, and I spent time learning everything I could from her in the kitchen, while she could still remember.
A Tribute to Millicent by Chef Art Smith
My great aunt Millicent was incredibly special to me. She was a trail blazer with tremendous style and grace. In the 1950s, my Aunt Millicent was one of America's first weather women, broadcasting with Channel 5 in Washington, D.C. She later became a regular personality with multiple appearances on "The Steve Allen Show" and in a television anthology drama called "Playhouse 90."
Aunt Millicent inspired me to pursue the "show business" aspects of my career. But outside of the spotlight, what I admired most was her passion for life — she loved to host dinner parties and was a wonderful cook. As a chef, I cook to honor the memories of her and the family members who taught me what I know.
A Tribute to Nita by Sabel Regalia
My beloved grandmother Nita Arlene Regalia Rice died in July 2023 at the age of 85 from Alzheimer's dementia in her rural coastal Mendocino home. She was a glorious and formidable force of nature — a visionary artist ahead of her time. Her bohemian lifestyle continues to pulse through the xylem of her family tree. Though she stopped making art many years ago as her cognition slowly declined, her wild streak lives on in her greatest creations of all: her five children, 13 grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Nita kept us laughing until the end. She was a lover of animals. Her secret aviary in the redwoods full of peacocks and fancy pheasants kept us all intrigued and confused. Nita loved wine, beer and cookies. She loved wild textile patterns, bold art museums and amateur taxidermy. She is loved and missed by many.
A Tribute to Phyllis by Ken van Train
On Jan. 16, 2008, we lost our mother to this dreadful disease. The last several years of her life she was living in a nursing home and did not recognize her children or grandchildren, but she loved to have visitors and everyone who worked in the home loved her.
Many of the caregivers, even though they did not know her as her family did, attended her funeral because they knew that she was a loving and caring person who was very special. It was unfair to take her from us so early in her life. They say this disease provides you with a long goodbye, but it was very difficult to watch her deteriorate over time and gradually lose her memory until the disease finally took her from us forever.
Phyllis was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She lived a full life and was always surrounded by family and friends that loved her dearly. She was a U.S. Navy wife that experienced many adventures as she traveled around the world with our father. During their 29 years in the Navy, Phyllis and her family lived in 12 different duty stations including seven states and two countries. She enriched the lives of many through her years of volunteer work. She was a devoted mother and grandmother, who made each of her children and grandchildren feel special and unique. I hope and pray that someday they will have a cure for this awful disease that affects not only the person with the disease but also the entire family.
A Tribute to Daddy by Nancy Stone
My Daddy grew up in the Methodist Home (an orphanage in Waco, Texas) from age 10 until he graduated from high school. He played football at the school on that campus and was on their 1928 undefeated team. He earned a football scholarship to Weatherford Jr. College and then transferred to University of North Texas on a scholarship. He graduated and was working on his masters when WWII began.
My Daddy had met my mother while working as a lifeguard at the campus pool and she was working in the concession stand. He joined the Navy and served two years before returning to school where he and my Mom continued dating and got married in 1946. Daddy coached football for a few years and then took a job at the VA Hospital in Waco. He worked there as a corrective therapist until he retired. My parents were married for almost 58 years and raised three children. They lived in the same house for most of those years. In 1992, they moved to a retired teachers residence in Waco. They enjoyed the many activities and travels with friends at the residence. My brother lived out of the country, and my sister and I lived three hours away. Daddy developed Alzheimer's, and when he could no longer be cared for by my Mom, he was moved to a memory care facility. He lived there for about three years when this horrible disease took his life. He was 84 when he died.
A Tribute to My Father and Grandmother by Adam Backman
Twenty years ago, my father's parents started developing dementia. My father quit his job and moved in with them to take care of them. My grandmother Eleanor was the most amazing person I have known. When she passed in 2012, we were all destroyed. To see her vibrant, happy demeanor turn to one of negativity was so hard for all of us. Especially my father. All of her grandkids named their daughters after her in one way or another.
Several years later, my father was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's. His once selfless and kind soul with a memory and intellect unrivaled by most, was now the shell of that person. I see him every day. I hold his hand. I talk with him and tell stories from our past. I know he hears them. But I miss my father and the person he was. It breaks my heart that he is going through what my grandmother went through — and that I am going through what he went through. He prayed his kids would never have to experience this. I pray one day this terrible disease will be eradicated so my kids do not have to suffer the same fate.
A Tribute to Joyce by Angela Tarrance
My mother was beautiful inside and out. Unfortunately, she was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's in her 60s. She struggled with the disease for 16 long, grueling years. My father cared for her as long as he could and then finally put her in a home. He moved to the same retirement community in independent living to be near her. He visited and cared for her each day. He made sure she ate when she otherwise would not. He made sure the nurses were extra diligent with her. Everyone who saw it was inspired by their love story. Mom's disease was a true testament to the character of my father and to unfaltering love and devotion.
Joyce Hall was a teacher, a mother, a daughter of a Methodist minister, a wife and a kind and gentle spirit. The saddest part for our family was to watch someone that was so sweet and unassuming have their dignity striped along with their mind. Dad died earlier this year. He outlived mom by five years. He would tell you the best thing he did in his life was love my mother. They are now together in heaven, and I am the luckiest daughter in the world because I have two angels watching over me.
Ongoing Support of the Fight to End Alzheimer's
Through Dec. 31, 2024, Round Pond Estate will donate 25% of sales of Honouren wine with a minimum contribution of $25,000 to help fight Alzheimer's and all other dementia.
Learn more about Round Pond and its support of our mission.