Widow of Local 1 NS Member Helps Others Cope with Loss

The death of one’s husband or wife is often the source of indescribable grief and sadness. The support of family and friends, and the willingness to develop new coping skills can help the surviving spouse bridge the chasm between “just getting by” and taking charge of his or her life, according to Maggie Macdonald, co-author of “Beyond Coping: Widows Reinventing Their Lives”, and widow of Local 1 Nova Scotia member Larry Lamont.

Macdonald and co-author Molly Hurd, both of Halifax, were devastated when their husbands died suddenly in the spring of 1996 while kayaking off the coast of Nova Scotia. Although both considered themselves to be capable, “independent women” at the time, neither was prepared for the emotional toll incurred by their loss.

In their book, Macdonald, an Ottawa native employed by Health Canada, and Hurd, an elementary school head teacher, feature 10 stories written by “ordinary” women across Canada, each describing a ‘personal reinvention’ in the wake of a husband’s death. Some involve dramatic transformations while others tell of comparatively small, incremental changes, but “the ultimate message” says Macdonald, “is one of inspiration and hope.”

For more information about “Beyond Coping”, please contact the BAC Canadian Office in Ottawa toll-free at 1-877-276-7774