I am a native Midwesterner, now residing in Mesa, AZ. I have worked in both the business and the education fields, and have been a writer most of my life. I have a BA degree and am founder and owner of Survive Strong Resources LLC, a business that details my work and my products. When I lost my husband, there were children still living at home. I was faced with the task of binding up wounds, supporting a family, and learning to heal and move forward. I began a journal that resulted in the publication of my first book, No Time to Grieve A Survivor's Guide to Loss and Healing. My commitment to the grieving community is fulfilled through my books, website, blog, articles, and my work as a grief facilitator with grieving children and families. As I listen to the stories of survivors, and conduct research into the studies of other professionals in the field, I'm amazed at the resilience and courage of those who suffer loss. I am equally concerned that our society, in general, resists learning to understand loss and recovery issues so they may help themselves and others. Death education doesn't have to come after the fact. It's my endeavor to bring to light the resources available for the grieving community to be comforted, supported and to heal and begin a new life.

Publication of two award winning books:
No Time to Grieve A Survivor's Guide to Loss and Healing, 2005 Writers Notes book award, and A Child's Grief Surviving the Death of a Parent, 2010 Reader Views first place award in Family/Parenting/Relationships category.
Certification as grief facilitator through New Song Center for Grieving Children A program of Hospice of the Valley Phoenix, AZ.