Mary Lee Robinson was widowed suddenly in 2013 and found herself totally unprepared for what was to come. In a new state for a mere 11 months when her husband died, there were few supportive friends or family around. She set about creating some, and started a social club for widows and widowers in her community. Within a year, it had grown to 170 members.

That told her quite a lot about an unmet need. She gathered 25 widows and widowers to write a book to share their stories, and the surprises, good and bad, that they all encountered as members of the club nobody wants to join. THE WIDOW OR WIDOWER NEXT DOOR was the result.

In a moment of serendipity, Mary Lee attended the first ever National Hope & Grief Convention in Indianapolis in the Spring of 2015, where she met people who shared her passion for helping grievers. Lynda Cheldelin Fell was at the center of the village that was formed at that gathering. With Lynda at the helm, GRIEF DIARIES; LOSS OF A SPOUSE was written with more storytellers. And even more books were written.

It is her hope, and that of the other storytellers, that not only will the book help prepare and educate, but a "Widowlution" will grow across the nation to break the chains of myths and completely false notions about widowhood. From the Widowlution, more support for and understanding of the completely normal grieving process that comes with losing a spouse. From the Widowlution, a recognition of the assistance in the most mundane and practical terms will come about.

Mary Lee lives in the Low Country of South Carolina and is a native of Towson, MD, just outside of Baltimore. She is the joyful caretaker of her invalid mother who has dementia. Her constant companions are her dachshund and Rottweiler dogs, and of course, her Mom.

Follow her on Pinterest @ www.pinterest.com/mhoct6462

Twitter @https://twitter.com/WidNext

Instagram @ https://www.instagram.com/thewidoworwidowernextdoor

and www.widowlution.com