Songs Keep Clearwater Couple's Memories From Fading

For six decades, music has been an integral part of a Juanita and Paul Pollitt's lives. The Clearwater couple sang, wrote music and danced under the stars.

"(Juanita) was the best mother, the best wife. She still is. We danced with the stars before the show 'Dancing with the Stars,' " Paul Pollitt,75, said.

High school sweethearts, the Pollitts met in ninth grade at a church school in Ohio. Skip ahead six decades, the couple will be married 58 years in October.

"I saw this girl walking down the hall. She was the prettiest girl, I ever saw," Paul said. "We skipped school one day and went and got married."

Juanita, now 74, was pregnant with the couple's fifth child when she said she penned a song about the family's life. Paul loved the song and said he sent it to Nashville.

"Less than 30 days later we heard the song on the radio," Paul Pollitt said.

The song Pollitt referenced is "Queen of the House," a hit recorded by Jody Miller, in 1965 that chronicles the life of a busy working mom with four children and one on the way.

Although Juanita has memory loss, her face still lights up when she hears familiar songs.

"She will forget seeing you, but she will remember a song," said her son, John Pollitt.

Caregiver advocate Linda Burhans secured a framed vinyl record of the song for them. The couple recently danced to "Queen of the House" and other familiar tunes at Pacifica Senior Living in Clearwater (see the video with this story). Several family members witnessed the special dance. 

"They are a very, special family; very tight-knit," said Rebecca Weitzel, of Pacifica. The Pollitts "are the most remarkable couple. I have never seen such a bond; it is quite remarkable."