About Us
History
The Grief Project (TGP) is a peer support organization that provides companionship and supportive services for the bereaved. Suzann Eisenberg Murray began this project in 2005 as a means to realize her vision to companion and care for widowed spouses, significant others and life partners throughout their grief journey.
Called to the painful journey of loss and transformation after the death of her own husband in 2004, Suzann knows firsthand how important the experiences of those who have walked the widowed path are to those who are in the midst of the searing pain of bereavement. It was through her transformational journey to wholeness, coupled with the companionship and unconditional love of other widowed people that the Grief Project was born.
A Message from Our Founder
My Dearest Sisters and Brothers in Sorrow,
Welcome to our home on the web. I recently found this blog post from November 2009, it is about my own widowed journey:
In the early days of widowhood from the depths of misery and desolation, I cried out, 'when will this be over?' It was a question I asked so many of the widowed that had walked the path before me. I now know the answer to that question. It is "never". It changes but it is never "over" and I suppose it is not supposed to be.
This journey has left its mark. I see the invisible stigmata of widowhood writ large upon my life. I am not the same person who walked out of Woodwinds Hospital alone that Sunday morning in November 2004.
I am a better, more caring and more present person. I am stronger and more resilient. I have good boundaries and I choose carefully how I spend my time and with whom I do so. I have spent a great deal of solitary time the last 5 years and it has been important. Most of the time, I am not lonely (except for missing you know who) in fact, I relish in my time alone.
I have wept more tears than I thought one woman could ever produce. I have been held close by my friends and held them close in return. I have been blessed with sisters and brothers of the heart and soul, who have been my stalwart companions on this broken road of loss and grief. We have held each others hands as we traveled towards the light - even in the days of being in the black hole of suffering and deep mourning - we helped each other steer towards the light.
My mantra from the depths of the black hole was, 'what I am supposed to learn while I am down here this time.' I learned that from Anne, one of those treasured companions, a wise widow friend who held me up when I couldn't do it for myself.
Today - I feel whole - the loss of Tom has been integrated into my life. I am no longer broken. I will long for this man until the hour of my own death - I will cry. I will awake in the middle of the night and suddenly remember what was lost. My memories are sweet. I knew unconditional love. I miss my love, my friend, my flyboy, my husband. And every year, November will be a time of remembrance. That is just the way it is.
Since writing those words, I have continued to heal and to realize my dream of providing the most important gifts I was blessed to have bestowed upon me during the critical parts of my personal widowed journey: companionship and nonjudgmental support.
Welcome to The Grief Project and to Sacred Journey. I hope that what you find here will serve you well and bring hope, healing, comfort and companionship to your own Sacred Journey.
Many blessings and much love,
Suzann
The Grief Project Leadership - Volunteers Make it All Possible
The Grief Project is funded by donations and an all-volunteer staff does the work. Over the last few years, these dedicated volunteers have provided the impetus, ideas, resources, wisdom, contacts, planning assistance and hard work to breathe life into the project.
Leadership Team
Meet our Leadership Team. This group of amazing human beings is the guiding force behind The Grief Project and the Sacred Journey. They give of their time, talents and experience to ensure the integrity of the program and to help steer the organization to success. Click here for bios and more information about the team members.
Joan Fraley
Jean Madsen
Lisa Moriarty
Kathy Murphy
Suzann Eisenberg Murray
Susan Rabickow 
Susan Rostkoski
TGP Angels
Many of our Angels (Volunteers) have been here since the inception of the dream and others continue to join us along the way. They are the wonderful people who inspire us, support us, generously provide us with advice and guidance and are our biggest cheerleaders. They have our everlasting gratitude.
Tor Aabo
Anne Bettenberg
Anne D'Ambrosio and GROWW
Heidi Hagel Braid
Jonathan Bucki
Bonnie Fournier
Tom Hale
Lauren Hale
Joanna Kohler
Rhonda Lundquist
Margo Mayhew
Hope Melton
Mao Moua
Troy Parkinson
Alicia Rosov
Larry Wangelin
Vanessa Wilson
TGP Angels in Memoriam
Amy Mannick ("Tigger")
Michael Groh