Who are the GEMS?

We’re Cori & Tricia! Lifelong besties, basically sisters, and your new girlfriends in the chaos of dementia caregiving. We’ve spent years swapping “did-that-really-just-happen?” stories (usually with a cocktail in hand), and we built Dementia WTF so you’d never have to ride this rollercoaster alone.

We call ourselves the GEMS — Girlfriends Empowering through Mentoring & Support. Translation? We’ve seen some sh*t, and we’re still standing (lipstick smudged, mascara maybe running, but always with heart and humor).

This space is built around what carried us through: unconditional support, dark humor, and showing up, no matter how messy. If we could survive it together, so can you.

Our Backstory

We’ve been friends forever! Seriously. Tricia and James (Cori’s husband) grew up together, and when Cori and Tricia met, we became instant besties. But the roots go back even further: before either of us was born, Tricia’s dad coached Cori’s dad in football at the University of Utah. Our families were connected long before we were, and that bond has lasted for generations.

Today, we’re not just business partners, we’re lifelong sisters. We share a love of entertaining, family, music, travel, and most of all, living life to its fullest. We’ve always been each other’s first call for the best news, the worst news, and the WTF news. That spirit of unconditional support is what inspired Dementia WTF.

Meet Cori & Tricia

  • Hi, I'm Cori.

    My mom is currently living with Alzheimer’s. Over the years, I’ve found profound relief, strength, and comfort in the guidance Tricia has given me, as well as the steady support of my amazing husband, my two beautiful kids and their partners, my dad, my two siblings, and my delightfully jolly and wacky mother. It’s been a journey filled with heartbreak, humor, and moments of deep connection that I never want to forget and it’s what fuels my passion for Dementia…WTF?!

    What I love…

    I love big family dinners that turn into dance parties, finding the perfect song for every moment, camping in the mountains, dessert, or on the beach, girlfriend trips, good coffee, delicious cocktails, a good laugh (the inappropriate kind is the best), and creating tiny moments of magic even in the messiest of times.

    When I'm not doing DWTF things...

    You’ll find me leading research and evaluation projects at a university-based education center, cheering loudly at my kids’ milestones, planning the next travel adventure, or hanging out with my husband and our sweet, opinionated English Bulldog. And wherever I am, I'm probably wearing sparkles, at least on the inside.

  • Hi I’m Tricia. 

    Both my parents died from Alzheimer’s, my dad at the age of 74 and my mom at the age of 83. I traveled the journey with my mom and dad separately and was surrounded by love and support from my siblings.

    What I love…
     I love real conversations, loud laughter, quiet moments of peace, and finding the absurd beauty in everyday chaos.
    I love strong coffee, soft pajamas, a great playlist, and stories that make you laugh until you cry or cry until you laugh.
    I love people who show up messy and honest. (They're my kind of people.)

    I love my family more than anything! My four amazing grown kids, cheering on my son at hockey games, and soaking up every wild, wonderful moment with my five-year-old grandson.
    They're my heart.

    When I'm not doing DWTF things...
     You’ll probably find me running my other business, Fairview Learning, a literacy program for the Deaf that I'm incredibly proud to lead.
    Or you’ll find me making memories with my family, chasing adventures, getting lost in a good book, or finding any excuse to celebrate life’s little victories.

    Life has taught me that you don’t have to have it all together to be living fully, you just have to keep showing up with love, laughter, and a little bit of WTF resilience.

Now You Know Us… Let’s Get to Know You.

We’ve shared our story and now we’d love to hear yours. Join the WTF Club for real talk, caregiver stories, monthly Stories & Sips invites, and maybe a cocktail recipe or two.