Goodbye Gentle Giant

A journey of love, caregiving, and finding a way forward.

About the Book

A Memoir of Love, Loss, and Caregiving

When my husband, Dave, was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia and later ALS, our family began an eight-year journey that would change our lives forever.

Goodbye Gentle Giant is an honest account of those years, including the emotional and physical demands of caregiving and my struggles to balance Dave’s needs with those of our children, my career, and my own well-being.

There were times of exhaustion, anger, guilt, and overwhelming sadness. But there were also moments of laughter, love, and unexpected joy.

I wasn’t a perfect caregiver. I made mistakes and often wondered whether I was doing enough. I wrote this book as I lived those years — often uncertain, often overwhelmed, and learning as I went.

But Goodbye Gentle Giant isn’t just a story about caregiving. It’s also about Dave, the man I loved, and the courage and acceptance he showed throughout his illnesses.

What Readers Are Saying

Roger Smith

“Holly Eburne delivers a brave and candid account of her husband’s cruel decline during an eight-year struggle with early dementia and ALS. Tender, touching, with flashes of understandable anger and surprising humour, Goodbye Gentle Giant is a must-read for anyone caring for a loved one with a life-sapping illness. But above all, it is an intimate portrait of a love story that ended far too soon.”
— former political reporter and foreign correspondent, CTV News.
Keri Lefave

“The further I read, the further I became enraptured in this true account of heartbreak and the love that held it together. It is a must read for anyone who has heard of or encountered the harsh realities of dementia.”
— author and award winner of Unfinished: A Personal Journey of Healing, Self-Discovery and Resilience and The Chrysalid: A Soul’s Struggle to Rekindle Its Inner Magic.
Olive Dodd

From the moment I met Holly, I was drawn to her energy, enthusiasm for life, and love of nature and the outdoors. Reading Goodbye Gentle Giant has given me a deeper understanding of the challenges she has faced and the remarkable strength, compassion, and love that have carried her through.
This is so much more than a story about caregiving. It's a story about life, its unexpected challenges, and the lessons we can all learn along the way. Through some of the toughest moments anyone could face, Holly showed incredible strength, compassion, and love. There is so much in her story that we can all learn from, no matter what challenges life brings our way.
Holly is an inspiration and a wonderful role model. I cherish our friendship, and her story has only deepened my admiration for her. A beautiful, heartfelt book that I would recommend to anyone.
Heather Bayne

“This beautiful and deeply moving memoir is so much more than a story of loss and heartbreak. It is a testament to love, resilience, and the strength of a family navigating the devastating impact of frontotemporal dementia. There are moments of joy, laughter, connection, and courage woven throughout the story. The family’s resilience shines through, showing us that although dementia may change so much, it cannot erase the love and memories that bind a family together. A story that will stay with you long after the final page.”
— Goodreads Review

Where to Find the Book

Goodbye Gentle Giant is available through Amazon in Canada and internationally.

Signed copies are also available directly from me at local artisan shows. I'd love to meet you!

Buy Goodbye Gentle Giant on Amazon

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For Book Clubs

Book Club Discussion Questions

Goodbye Gentle Giant offers plenty to talk about, whether you’ve been a caregiver yourself or simply experienced the challenges of loving someone through difficult times.

I've put together a collection of discussion questions to help your book club explore some of the themes in Goodbye Gentle Giant, including love, caregiving, resilience, and finding a way forward.

Download your free copy below.

Download Questions