- Details
- Category: Current Issue
PUTNAM — The holiday season is generally a time of joyful anticipation and celebration, but for some, it’s a time of loneliness, sadness and even depression. Many bereaved people feel fresh waves of sadness around these special times, even years after their loved one’s death.
To help overcome the ‘holiday hurdle’ yet again, Gilman and Valade Funeral Homes and Crematory of Putnam and N. Grosvenordale is offering a special program to assist individuals to find a path of coping.
From 6 to 7:30 p.m. Nov. 19 and from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Dec. 7 a program titled “Managing Grief During the Holidays” is planned to help individuals navigate the upcoming holidays. The presenter is The Rev. Dr. Doe West will be the presenter at the event to be held at the Park Tribute Center, 25 Highland Dr.
The Rev. Dr. West received her Ph.D. from Northeastern University and her master’s from Boston University. She is a tenured professor and chair of the Human Services Department at Quinsigamond Community College as well as adjunct faculty in the fields of psychology, religion, gerontology, addiction and other social science courses at Assumption College, Anna Maria College, William James College, Bay Path University; as well as doing research and writing with her peers from Boston University in peace studies. She was given the honor of being named a Marquis Who’s Who Lifetime Achiever Award, 2017.
The Rev. Dr. West, who is described as using a compassionate delivery style that uplifts hearts and spirits, will speak on caring and awareness as people face loss, crisis grief and resultant trauma. The program will be centered on ways to handle grief, specifically during the holidays. She will also touch on feelings that everyone encounters surrounding dealing with grief.
“We’re offering this program at this crucial time of the year because we want to help people discover ways to deal and grow through the experience of their loss,” said Robert R. Fournier Jr., owner of the Gilman and Valade Funeral Homes.
Seating for this free program is limited and anyone interested in attending is urged to contact Wendy Warren-Cudworth at the funeral home, 860-928-7723 or by e-mail at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
..