Conference Will Focus On Grief

Grief is a universal emotion, yet usually it is endured alone. That’s especially true for those persons who lose a spouse or long-time partner.

Sonya Rose and Rande Linder have experienced such grief, which makes them the perfect keynote speakers for this year’s Solo Strategies for Widowed Persons conference that begins its two-day run Friday at Spokane Community College.

Rose, a professional counselor, was widowed two years ago when her husband died of cancer. Linder’s wife died in the 1994 shootings at Fairchild Air Force Base.

Both have survived their personal tragedies; their stories comprise the theme of this year’s conference, which is titled “Oceans of Grief: From White Squall to Sailing the Wind.”

The conference, now in its 12th year, begins Friday at 5:30 p.m. with a get-acquainted mixer, then a series of workshops. Saturday’s program, which begins at 7:30 a.m., involves a day of “healing, nurturing and growth sessions” and includes both keynote speeches (Rose at 8:15 a.m. and Linder at 1:30 p.m.).

Fees are $20 for both days and include morning refreshments and lunch. For registration information, call 484-8636 or (800) 344-SOLO.

, DataTimes