News From griefHaven
November 1, 2012

Workshop – International Association of Professional Chaplains

Susan and Wendell Whitmore, griefHaven Board Members, and Rev. Pam Washburn, Advisory Board Member Workshop with the International Association of Professional Chaplains –San Francisco, CA griefHaven Booth Spreading the Word About griefHaven Wendell & Susan Spreading the Word About griefHaven San Francisco, CA – Susan Speaking Las Vegas, Nevada
February 22, 2013

2013 – Live Your Best Life Luncheon

2013 – Live Your Best Life Luncheon It was truly beautiful, and that room was filled with so much love it was palpable. There were 180 people in attendance. The Friends of griefHaven Council members (meet them all on our website) worked for months and months to make this event flawless. Our former Mayor, Richard Riordan, introduced Susan in such a lovely way. Then several families stood up and shared how griefHaven has helped them on their journeys. Michael Davis sang a beautiful song he wrote entitled “I Will Friend You,” and there wasn’t a dry eye in the house. But then…ta dah!!! Along came John Gray, best-selling author and sought-after speaker (ever heard of “Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus?”) , and he spoke and had us all in stitches!                                   […]
October 7, 2013

Grief Relief Talk Show

      Episode 20: Finding Meaning After Loss Watch Susan Whitmore on Grief Relief talk show. She is halfway through the show. On this show, Dr. Gloria Horsley and Dr. Heidi Horsley explore the topic of finding meaning after loss. They interview two inspirational women who, rather than be broken by their experience, have used their tragic losses to make meaning and to help others. The first guest is Ann Khadalia, Social Worker and the second guest is Susan Whitmore founder and CEO of griefHaven. The show closes with a song, I Will Friend You, sung by singer-songwriter Michael Davis.
October 8, 2013

2013 griefHaven Annual Fundraising Luncheon

griefHaven Annual Fundraising Luncheon Luxe Hotel – Los Angeles, California October 8, 2013 2013 Friends of griefHaven “Live Your Best Life Luncheon.” It was truly beautiful, and that room was filled with so much love it was palpable. There were 180 people in attendance. The Friends of griefHaven Council members (meet them all on our website) worked for months and months to make this event flawless. Our former Mayor, Richard Riordan, introduced Susan in such a lovely way. Then several families stood up and shared how griefHaven has helped them on their journeys. Michael Davis sang a beautiful song he wrote entitled “I Will Friend You,” and there wasn’t a dry eye in the house. But then…ta dah!!! Along came John Gray, best-selling author and sought-after speaker (ever heard of “Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus?”) , and he spoke and had us all in stitches!
November 2, 2013

Michael I. Staire

Michael I. Staire 1962 – 2004       http://michael-staire.memory-of.com Our motto for Mike’s passing is Heaven Let Your Light Shine Down. In the memory of our loved one, Michael Staire who was born in Champaign, Illinois on October 10, 1962 and passed away on November 13, 2004 at the age of 42. Mike was a loving and devoted father of two children, Jared Michael 18 and Kayla Nicole 17. Mike and I were united as one on August 16, 1986. He had zest for life and drive for hard work. Dedicated to living each day to the fullest he enjoyed a 5 mile run with his two faithful campanions King our black lab and Rocket our blonde lab. Fitness was one of the ways Mike relieved stress if he wasn’t running he was lifting weights in his workshop. Although he didn’t get to enjoy too many days off from […]
January 25, 2014

CURE Childhood Cancer Org.

  griefHaven’s Founder & President – Keynote Speaker 2014 – CURE Childhood Cancer Org. – Atlanta, Georgia – Keynote Presentation On January 25, I stepped up to the podium as the keynote speaker for the amazing CURE Childhood Cancer Organization www.curechildhoodcancer.org. CURE provides funds for childhood cancer research and is there for the families while their children are going through cancer treatment and when a child does not survive. The morning of January 25 marked the beginning of some life-changing experiences for me as well, since it was the first time I had ever spoken in front of a room of parents, grandparents, and siblings whose children had all died from cancer, the same thing that took Erika from us. There were about 125 people there, and I gave a PowerPoint presentation that included education about grief, as well as the latest on the grieving brain. On Saturday afternoon, I facilitated […]
February 22, 2014

2014 – Live Your Best Life Luncheon

Welcome to Our 2014 Live Your Best Life Luncheon The 2014 Annual Friends of griefHaven Live Your Best Life Fundraising Luncheon on October 7 rocked the Luxe Hotel ballroom. Attended by 191 family, friends, supporters, and many of those helped by griefHaven over the years, a warm welcome was extended to all. Performer Ari Kaplan serenaded the audience during the silent auction, which helped griefHaven net $20,871.56, guaranteeing the event’s success. Marc Klaas, Susan Whitmore, Kim Goldman and Wendell Whitmore An array of speakers, from Los Angeles’ former Mayor Richard Riordan to keynote presenter Kim Goldman, sister of Ron Goldman and victim’s right activist, shared testimonials, touching stories, and the inspiration and grief tools given to them by griefHaven that enabled them to move forward in their lives after experiencing tragedy and loss. As usual, the incredible women who make up the Friends of griefHaven Council worked and planned for […]
March 24, 2014

Watch griefHaven on Good Morning America

      Susan discusses the TV show Resurrection,  an American fantasy drama television series about dead people who return to life. It is based on Jason Mott’s novel The Returned (2013). The series follows the residents of Arcadia, Missouri, whose lives are upended when their loved ones return from the dead, not having aged since their deaths.
June 27, 2014

Tom Coughlin Jay Fund

GRIEFHAVEN AND THE Tom Coughlin Jay Fund JUNE 27, 2014 – Report by Susan Whitmore, griefHaven Founder What an incredible honor it has been to be a part of the Tom Coughlin Jay Fund organization. I was privileged to be the keynote presenter on Saturday morning, opening up the conference. I then conducted three workshops on Saturday afternoon, with my husband Wendell at my side. All of the families in attendance lost a child, sibling, or grandchild to cancer…a journey I know well. On Sunday morning I shared an overview of the weekend, how to go on in life without our children, and what it means to embrace life once again. Tom Coughlin, founder of the Jay Fund and coach extraordinaire for the New York Giants, gave a passionate and moving talk to the audience of parents and siblings who were gathered together for the final candle light ceremony. Coach Coughlin […]