John Morrice’s connection to Memory & Movement Charlotte began long before he joined the Board of Directors, almost by chance. “My father had a terminal illness, and someone gave me a copy of Dr. Edwards’ book, Much Abides,” he recalls. “While my dad didn’t have a memory disorder, the book still applied, especially to my experience as a caregiver.” Reading it opened his eyes to the emotional and practical realities of end‑of‑life care, but also to the philosophy that guides MMC.

He recalled that he first met Dr. Edwards decades earlier. “He was a heart surgeon, and I remember he had a big personality and a sincerity that was unusual for busy doctors.” That early impression, combined with the pressure and grief of caregiving, planted the seeds for a deeper connection.

After his father passed away, John joined the board of VIA Health Partners, driven partly by what he describes as his own ignorance. “As an attorney, I spent a lot of my career working with organizations focused on conditions that are treatable or curable. None of that prepared me for the complexities of end‑of‑life care, something we will all need. I wanted to learn more.”

His friends Bill Crowder and Bernard Burns, both longtime members of MMC’s board, helped him understand how naturally his values align with MMC’s mission. “I’m interested in MMC because this isn’t superficial work – it’s about relieving suffering, not only for the patient but for the family too. MMC addresses anxiety, grief, and loss in a way that is compassionate and humane. I’ve seen in the experience of friends what a difference this kind of care makes throughout the duration of a chronic condition.”

John’s first full-board interaction was intense. He attended MMC’s strategic planning retreat, and the experience affirmed his commitment. “What struck me was the unity of purpose,” he says. “Everyone is there for the same reason. It’s not commerce or profit. It’s about reducing suffering in a way that is life-changing. That’s powerful.”

Looking ahead, he sums up his hopes simply: “Growth and survival.” He wants more families to access the kind of care he has come to deeply value.

Outside his professional and volunteer work, John is grounded by family. He and his wife Michele have two grown sons. Each year they celebrate the anniversary of the blind date that brought them together, a reminder of how a single encounter – or a book! - can change the course of a life.