'Dear Abby' Diagnosed With Alzheimer's
Barely a month
after the death of her twin sister, advice columnist Pauline Phillips,
better known as "Dear Abby," has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease,
Universal Press Syndicate said.
Phillips, 84,
started "Dear Abby" in 1956 to compete with the "Ann Landers" column written
by her identical twin sister, Eppie Lederer. Lederer died June 22 of cancer.
A statement
by the syndicate said Phillips' memory has been declining slowly. Spokeswoman
Kathie Kerr said she's in good spirits and in good shape physically.
Phillips last
year turned over the day-to-day responsibility for the column to her daughter,
Jeanne, and admitted she had been sharing writing duties with her daughter
since 1987. Jeanne Phillips began taking sole credit for the column last
month.
"Out of respect
for my father and his wishes, I have not been at liberty to discuss my
mother's Alzheimer's publicly," Jeanne Phillips said.
"That may change
one day, but right now, I hope it's enough for the people who love her
to know that she's physically healthy and is receiving the best professional
care in the world, surrounded by family who love her."
Pauline Phillips
is married to Minneapolis businessman Morton Phillips.
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Copyright 2002 by United
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