Patti Comeau-Simonson

Patti Comeau-Simonson's life journey took a professional turn after the loss of her beloved husband, David, in his courageous battle with colon cancer. The care and support her family received while he was in hospice care left a lasting impact on her, motivating her to give back and make a difference in the lives of others facing similar challenges.
Her path began as a volunteer for hospice, which led her to become a bereavement assistant at the Bertolon Center for Grief and Healing in 2007. She wanted to enhance her skills and expertise in grief and loss and understand and support those grieving the loss of a loved one, so she pursued and received her thanatology certificate from the National Center of Death Education at Mount Ida College in 2011.
During her time at the bereavement center, Patti developed and implemented a peer training program that empowered individual who had experienced loss to become skilled in grief and loss. She trained twenty facilitators, who then went on to support and help grieving individuals to heal on their grief journey. She was honored for her work, receiving the Red Cross Health Care Hero award in 2013.
In 2015, Patti coauthored a book called A Book of Hope, a compilation of personal stories and affirmations from those who have navigated through their grief. The book offers hope and joy to those currently on their own grief journey, providing them with the strength and comfort to move forward.
Recipes for Healing: Working Through Grief One Plate at a Time (Just Not Lasagna!) is her teaching memoir about her own heartfelt journey through the intersection of food and the emotional healing it provided her. She personal anecdotes, comforting recipes, and gentle guidance to help readers navigate the difficult terrain of grief. Through the transformative power of cooking and sharing of meals, we discover the healing properties of nourishment for both the body and soul, reminding us that even in our darkest moments, there is hope, love, and the promise of brighter days ahead.
Patti continues her work as a peer specialist in grief and loss, offering peer trainings, peer-led support groups, and one-on-one sessions through her website, www.patticomeausimonson.com
She lives in Florida with her husband, Rick, and they enjoy summers up north with their blended family----three wonderful sons and seven amazing grandchildren.