By MATT PIKE
St. Joseph Post
A new sanctuary is devoting time to help those suffering from the loss of a spouse.
The Loss of Spouse Sanctuary was developed in 2022 in memory of Joe Tracy who envisioned the sanctuary after the loss of his wife Kathy.
Board member Deb Lyons says the sanctuary located just off US 71 Highway provides a retreat for those who lost a spouse.
"But it allows widows and widowers to relax, t0 regroup, to meet other kindred spirits that have the same issues that they do, have the same thoughts, that they just need to get together in addition to GriefShare," Lyons tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr. "Where they can let their hair down and try to put some fun and some joy back into their lives."
The sanctuary provides a space for those who are grieving the loss of a spouse; a place to get away, rejuvenate, and relax.
Board Vice President Jane Anderson says organizers hope the sanctuary can become a place of comfort to those who are grieving.
"We know grieving is different for everyone, even though it's a similar experience, and a lot of people don't want to do something on their own," Anderson explains. "So, we're not restricting it to just the widows and widowers, if they want to be comfortable and bring a friend, a family member, so the friends and family members can see what we're about."
Anderson says membership for the sanctuary is open to anyone who has lost a spouse.
"Because you can be at any age to lose your spouse," Anderson says. "So, while most people recognize that normally it's in the older generations, we do have people that have lost their spouses that are in their 20's, 30's and 40's, there is no restriction, no age limit."
Membership can be signed up for at no cost HERE.