Free Grief Conference

• Mitch Carmody is a grief educator, a writer, an author, a grief nutritionist, and an intuit who has dedicated his life to helping individuals and families navigate the uncharted territory of death, dying and the bereavement process. After suffering many familial losses from a young age and ultimately the death of his nine-year-old son from cancer in 1987, Mitch struggled not only with the grief journey but also with how grief is processed and perceived in this country. In 2002, he published a book called Letters to My Son: A Journey Through Grief, which has reached the bereaved in every state and 7 countries. As a trained hospice volunteer, Mitch has also helped many loved ones and their families through the dying process.

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• Donna Mathiowetz is an inspirational speaker and author. I have been working in the arena of loss and grief since 1997, following the death of two teenage sons within two years. Her husband and Donna have been foster parents for four children from foreign countries with medical needs that weren’t available to them in their countries of origin. They adopted. Their son Brandon in 1995. Her passion to help others thrive as they rise to the challenges of changes in their lives comes from her own life experiences.
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The "river of grief " is a powerful metaphor that illustrates the dynamic and evolving nature of grief, emphasizing that it is a journey filled with emotional currents and changes.

 

Grief is not a linear process but rather a fluid experience that can be turbulent and unpredictable.

 

Grief encompasses a range of emotions, including sadness, anger, and numbness. 

All of these feelings will ebb and flow over time.​​

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• Randy Stocker is an author, professional grief speaker, and, unfortunately, an experienced griever.  He has helped organize bereavement groups in both Quincy, IL, and Rochester, MN.  Helped many individuals to either better understand their grief or better understand how to help others who are grieving.   He offers practical advice about grieving while sharing many of the activities that allowed us to survive the death of my mother, Jean, and my two daughters, Jenelle-age 19, and Amy-age 9.     Randy  has shared his message about grief and grieving with thousands of people across the USA.  From church groups to High Schools to small businesses to hospital groups to Civic Organizations.    

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• Jane Foote has been writing original music since she was a young teen, and simpler versions of her music may be just the medicine the world needs at this time.  

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• Kelly Rae Fitzpatrick leads in unexpected ways, creating a legacy of resilient service projects through horticulture education and events that inspire community partnerships and increasing economic, environmental, and social justice through local and regional food system change.  Kelly is a business owner and former Rochester City Council member. ​

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