About Beverly Chantalle McManus
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Beverly Chantalle McManus serves as Sercretary on the Board of Directors for the Open to Hope Foundation. She has over 25 years as a marketing executive for professional services organizations, including some of the world’s largest legal, accounting, health care, architecture and engineering firms. She has edited and co-written numerous published books and professional articles across a range of topics. After the death of her husband Steve in 2003, she began focusing on grief and bereavement support, and for the past five years, has been a bereavement facilitator, and core team member of the Stepping Stones on Your Grief Journey Workshops. She is a frequent speaker and writer on the topic of loss and grief, and is one of the featured writers of the Open to Hope Foundation Death of a Spouse blog, for which she publishes a weekly column. (http://opentohopedeathofaspouse.com. She has served on the Board of Directors of the San Francisco Waldorf School and is active in community, arts, and civic enhancement initiatives. She and her two daughters reside in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Beverly Chantalle McManus's Articles
Taking Baby Steps on the Grief Journey
We’re right in the middle of baseball season. One of our family’s favorite pastimes was to attend the Giants games at the old Candlestick Park in San Francisco, where we’d shiver in the bleachers as …
Will I Ever Find Me Again? — New Roles After the Death of a Spouse
In response to “From a Plea for Help,” Julie Z. wrote: My husband died about 1.5 years ago, I continue to cry daily. He was everything to me. I am so tired of being so alone. I …
An Egg Today? Or a Hen Tomorrow? Our Choices in Grief
I’m a big believer in fortune cookies. In fact, I’ve long thought that if read very loudly — so that everyone else in the restaurant can hear — the fortunes will come true! I don’t …
For Bereaved, the Waves Keep Crashing
By Beverly Chantalle McManus –
Those of us who have survived the death of a spouse receive ongoing reminders that life will never be the same.? Just as we feel we?re finally able to be buoyant …
When Does the Pain of Grief Ease?
Annalise writes in “When does the pain ease off after the loss of one’s husband? It’s?two months today and getting worse.”
Beverly Chantalle McManus, Grief Companion, responds Annalise, first of all, please …
Nature’s Remedy – Allowing the Universe to Embrace Us in Our Pain and Need
Responding to How Do I Cope After the Death of My Husband?, Annalise wrote: “When does the pain ease off?? Two months today and getting worse.”
Beverly Chantalle McManus, Grief Companion, responds: Annalise, first of all, …
For Easter: An Egg Story
By Beverly Chantalle McManus –
I’m a big believer in fortune cookies.? In fact, I’ve long thought that if read very loudly — so that everyone else in the restaurant can hear — the fortunes will …
Writing Thank You Notes After a Funeral
By Beverly Chantalle McManus, —
Over the past six years since Steve?s death, in grief workshops and counseling sessions, I?ve talked with hundreds of people whose loved ones have died. One of the most …
Everything Seems So Unreal — Coping with Unexpected Death
Responding to Ten Things Every New Widow Should Know to Survive, Jean writes: I just lost my husband on 2/23/09. He passed away at the airport before taking the trip to the East Coast for …
Writing Thank You Notes After the Funeral – What to Say, How to Get it Done
Over the past six years since Steve’s death, in grief workshops and counseling sessions, I’ve talked with hundreds of other widows and widowers, as well as others whose loved ones have died. One of the …
“Widow’s Weeds” – Symbols of Mourning and the Profound Effect of Colors on Our Emotions
In the not-so-distant past, when an individual within a family died, there was a prescribed period of mourning, during which expectations of the bereaved family were lightened. In fact, if the mourners did engage in …
Journaling My Grief Experience
Beverly Chantalle McManus
My birthday took place a week after Steve died. Although I did not feel like celebrating, my family members thoughtfully brought some gifts over, one of which was a journal. At the time, …
Journaling My Grief Experience
My birthday took place a week after Steve died. Although I did not feel like celebrating, my family members thoughtfully brought some gifts over, one of which was a journal. At the time, I gave …
Without A Mooring – The Waves Never Stop Crashing
Those of us who have survived the death of a spouse receive ongoing reminders that life will never be the same. Just as we feel we’re finally able to be buoyant again, as we’re coming …
‘Let’s Take Advantage of the Widow’: Dealing With the Greed of Others
Martha from Utah writes:? Do any other widows complain about inheritance issues involving their children or step children?? This was my greatest burden.? Bob left all our money to me. ?I had two children by a previous marriage and the two boys by Bob were furious.? After he died, they demanded a huge cut of Bob’s estate.? One even brought me a Power of Attorney form, and raised a ruckus when I wouldn’t sign.? I shook so badly that I couldn’t write-could hardly hold a fork or spoon.?? The two kept at me until I thought I had Parkinson’s.? The doctor said it was nerves.? I lived on heavy sedation for almost a year, making only necessary trips to the grocery store and bank, then back to another pill and my recliner.? I don’t know how I managed to get off this hill and back home.? Two friends, one a retried IRS supervisor and the other an attorney, told me the boys would never leave me alone until I gave them each an enormous amount. ?To save my sanity, that is what I finally had to do. ?I’m glad Bob never knew how greedy his sons were-and are.? I lost 18 months of my life before I was allowed to grieve and recover.
Ideas for Widows or Widowers with Teenagers who are Grieving the Loss of their Parent
This week’s column was written by my 24-year-old daughter Emily. I had asked her for suggestions for widows or widowers with teenagers who are grieving the loss of their parent, at the same time the …
Woman Loses Organs to Cancer, Still Revels in Life
Caregivers Need Time to Let Go
Respecting Boundaries When Comforting a Grieving Heart
Shhhh…Listen Closely. It’s the Sound of Someone Healing
Loss of Husband Makes Life Doubly Hard
August 26, 2010: Guest Charles Corr: Helping Children Cope with Death and Grief
