Pick's disease is a rare form of frontal temporal dementia that alters a person's personality and character. There is no cure for the disease and its progression cannot be slowed.
Gordie, 74, revealed to the Detroit News how much the disease has altered his wife's personality.
"I'm totally bewildered what can happen to the mind," Howe is quoted in a story published on Thursday. "A few years ago, her memory was as sharp as a tack."
"I've never had so many worries in my life," said the Detroit Red Wing icon and NHL Hall of Famer. "Sleepless nights. Every day is a constant reminder. What is, what was."
"Outside its different, but inside . . . it eats you up."
The Howes have been married for close to 50 years.
They have four children, three sons and a daughter. Two of their sons, Marty and Mark, also played in the NHL.
Colleen, 70, was the first female sports agent and is a member of the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame.
