Mary Rethlake was a vibrant, outgoing, beautiful, and loving woman who was coming into the golden years of her life when she became afflicted with Alzheimer’s. In December 2022, the disease not only took her life, but robbed her family of many years of her joyful presence.

Alzheimer's disease is not something which "just happens" to people when they get older. It is a neurological disease which gradually destroys the brain's ability to function, in some ways like brain cancer. It is always fatal.

Many in the medical community believe a cure for Alzheimer’s is on the horizon. But more research is needed to rid the planet of this scourge disease. To honor Mary, and all others who have experienced the devastating impact of this disease, Mary's family has worked closely with the Mayo Clinic to establish a donor account which will specifically fund Alzheimer's research.  Information about the effort underway at the Mayo clinic is available by clicking here.

As a nonprofit educational institution, donations to the Mayo Clinic are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.  As noted below, gifts from Delta Air Lines employees and retirees qualify for dollar-for-dollar matching contributions from the Delta Air Lines Foundation.

As of April 11, 2023, donations to date are now approaching $13,000.
                            .

By working closely with the Mayo Clinic and Delta Air Lines Foundation, Mary's family has been able to qualify the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science for the DAL Foundation's 100% Matching Gifts to Education Program.  Click on the appropriate link below for instructions on how you can double your donation in the fight against Alzheimer's.

Procedures to MATCH A PREVIOUS GIFT to the Mayo Clinic (in last 6 months)

Procedures to MATCH A SAME DAY GIFT by credit card to the Mayo Clinic

To honor Mary, and in lieu of any other type of memorials, the family is requesting tax-deductible donations be made in Mary's name to Alzheimer's Disease Research at the Mayo Clinic using one of three ways:

1. By phone - Please call 1-855-852-8129 (Mayo Clinic Department of Development), please indicate the gift is in memory of Mary  Rethlake.
   
   

2. Online - The Mayo Clinic has set up a dedicated funding site to honor Mary.  Any donation given through that site will be used exclusively for Alzheimer's disease research and will be noted as a memorial in Mary's honor.  To go there, click here:  https://philanthropy.mayoclinic.org/maryrethlake.
   
   

3. Mail – Download and complete the donation form by clicking here.  Then send the form and your check to: 

Mayo Clinic Department of Development
200 First Street SW
Rochester, MN 55905

In the memo line of the check, please also indicate the gift is in memory of Mary Rethlake.
                            .