The Art of Grieving: Celebrating 40 years of Advocacy, Support, and Education

40th Anniversary Open House
Thursday, May 8, 2025

40th Anniversary Open House rescheduled for Thursday May 8, 2025 from 4:00 - 6:30pm

We invite you to join us in celebrating the 40th Anniversary of St Mary’s Grief Support Services as the first hospital-based grief center in the U.S. The theme of our open house on Thursday May 8, 2025, from 4:00-6:30 PM at 503 East Third Street Duluth is “The Art of Grieving”. The evening will include light refreshments, music, opportunities to view art from grieving youth and adults, and create your own memory making keepsakes that honor loved ones who are seriously ill or who have died. At 6:00, Grief therapist Kristine Fitch LICSW, RYT 200 will lead a free workshop on Gentle Chair Yoga and other body-based healing strategies. Free printed grief resources will also be available.

Please consider sharing a poem, photograph, drawing, painting, quilt, sculpture, collage, or other artistic medium that shares the story of your grief experience. You are the author and expert of your individual grief journey! By gathering together to share this experience as caregivers and grievers we acknowledge the pain of grief as well as what brings us hope and strength in the darkest of times.  Whether you are 5 or 105, you are invited to share something that represents your caregiving or grief story. Simply complete the submission form on page 13 of this issue and email a PDF photo, word document, or link to a recording of music to [email protected] with “the art of grieving” in the subject line. Let us know if you prefer to have it displayed anonymously, by first name and age, or with your complete name attached. You are also welcome to include “In memory of..” and the name of your loved one if you choose. As space allows, we will be printing and displaying some submissions and displaying others on the flat screens in our group rooms. Also, please email if you are a musician who would like to share your gift of music in person during the evening.

If you are unable to attend, but would like to wish GSS a happy birthday, please go to our foundation website Hope Like Nowhere Else | Essentia Health .  Our deepest gratitude to the volunteers, staff and generous donors who support our mission that no one of any age should have to face grief alone. Your support ensures that free support groups for youth and adults, printed resources, community outreach, school crisis support, memory making keepsakes for bereaved parents, grief education, staff support and other services are available for the next generation of grievers and those who care for them.