Lorri Penner, BSW, RSW

For 17 years I assisted people faced with unimaginable grief and loss through my work as a Victim Services Coordinator. I was often one of a small group of people who had the heartbreaking task of telling people their loved one had died. During those years, I learned much about loss and grief and the impact grief had on people, but I always felt there was something missing. I remember telling people that in time the loss would become easier to face because time was a gift. I remember encouraging them to be strong and keep busy... These words meant to soothe and encourage were told to me as a child with the losses I faced… my parents were also told the same. A few years ago, I had a significant loss in my life. This was not my first loss, I lost both of my grandparents and my dad within 18 months all before I turned 16 years old. I also lost many beloved pets, a job, a baby, a boyfriend, and I also lost trust. This was the death of my ex-husband. The moment I learned he died, I felt broken and so sad. Feelings that surprised me because we had been divorced for 12 years. I had my cry and then kicked into mom mode because my 3 adult kids would be arriving at my house and they needed me to be strong. They became my focus and I was busy making sure I was taking care of everyone. I was strong. No one seen my tears because there were no more tears once they arrived. Nearing the 1-year anniversary of this death, I was contacted by my coworker from the funeral home who does the Grief Recovery program for them. He was piloting a 6-week course called, “When Children Grieve” and would I be interested in participating. I immediately said yes and my motivation was to learn how to help my children and grandchildren. Losses in my life I believed I had safely stored in my backpack “out of sight, out of mind” I realized, were impacting every aspect of my life. Everything I thought I knew, from the time I was a little girl, everything I said to people who had lost loves ones, everything I did…. I now learned there was a better way… The Grief Recovery Method. I enrolled and within 4 weeks of finishing the group was certified as a Grief Recovery Specialist. I am proud to offer One on One, Groups, Pet loss, Helping Children Grieve to Lethbridge, Alberta and Southern Alberta. I can also provide online One on One Grief Recovery worldwide. I am a Registered Social Worker and also work part time at the longest serving funeral home in the city.