A HARWOOD mum who fought a rare type of dementia which prevented her from speaking for five years has died.

Valerie Pearse died, aged 67, with her sons Lee and Andrew by her side after a decade long battle with frontotemporal dementia — a rare form of the disease which affects the front of the brain.

They have acted as carers, with the help of Mrs Pearse's sister Brenda Turner, after their father Rob died in a car crash in 2010.

Mrs Pearse, who previously lived in Harwood Vale and raised her two sons there, was diagnosed with the disease aged 59.

The diagnosis helped her family understand why she had lost empathy and had become more detached.

Lee, aged 41, who is a lecturer in film at Sheffield Hallam University, said: "We have looked after mum for the last 10 years. We knew mum was going to die, but it is still horrific. It is a quite horrific form of dementia.

"She wasn't able to speak for the last five years, and had to use her eyes to communicate."

Lee remembers his mum in fonder times as a keen baker, enjoying to make shortbread, as well as being a loving mother.

He added: "She really was the most giving and kind person. She did everything for everyone, she was such a selfless person."

Before she came unwell, Mrs Pearse worked for the catalogue firm Littlewoods, and later as a supermarket assistant at Morrisons.

Lee has created three moving films which have chronicled his mother's battle with the disease, one of which featured his father's journey in caring for his wife.

His dad tragically died just six weeks after filming.

He has also been made a Champion of Alzheimer’s Research UK, and has worked to promote the work of the charity.

Hilary Evans, director of external affairs at the charity, said: "Everyone at Alzheimer’s Research UK sends their deepest sympathy to Lee and Andrew and all the family.

"They have inspired us with their devotion to Valerie, their determination to increase awareness of their mum’s condition and raise funds for vital dementia research."

"The brothers also set-up The Valerie Foundation for creativity and dementia support.

“The loss of Valerie highlights the importance of our work at Alzheimer’s Research UK and the urgency to find the preventions and treatments so urgently needed.

"The backing her family has given the charity over the years is helping our scientists power forward to solve the challenge of dementia and bring about a brighter future for people living with this devastating condition. Valerie fought hard in her battle against frontotemporal dementia, she was an inspiration to us and her family and will be hugely missed."