WEBINAR: Hope for the Holidays When You Are Grieving


The holiday season is coming, which might mean this is the first holiday after your loved one has passed. It may be the second, third, or beyond as well.  You will be facing some challenging emotions, and due to the nature of Thanksgiving and Christmas, with the focus on family, traditions, expectations, and social events filled with “cheer,” the emotions can be overwhelming.  You can lessen the emotional impact by being prepared and knowing what to expect.

The tools you will learn in this workshop will help you not only survive the holidays but also face them with love, assurance, and a measure of peace.

Topics will include: 

  • Having a plan and how to stick to it
  • Tips for surviving social events
  • How to help your children survive the holidays
  • Tips for self-care during this difficult time
  • How to handle invitations to events
  • Remembering and honoring your loved one
  • Does it get any easier?

WEBINAR
NOVEMBER 18, 2025
11:45 AM – 1:00 PM

PRESENTERS:

MEGHAN MANAS, CEPS Director of Client Services, Executive Manager, Notary Public

Allie Wolfing, LCSW-C

Allie is a licensed clinical social worker. She has been in the hospice and grief field since 2017 and has been with Gilchrist for 6 years. She is one of Gilchrist’s Clinical Grief Counselors. She facilitates support groups, engages in community outreach presentations, is part of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee, Greater Pride Employee Resource Group, and the Women of Excellence Employee Resource Group. She loves combining collaging within her professional and personal life.

Michelle Sheldon-Rubio, RN, BSN, CDCES, CSD

Ms. Sheldon-Rubio has been a Registered Nurse and Certified Diabetes Educator over 40 years specializing in Diabetes Education, Research, End Stage Renal Disease, Quality, and School Nursing. She was born, educated, resides, and spent her career in Baltimore, Maryland. Ms. Sheldon-Rubio is a Certified Spiritual Director, Trained and Certified in Bereavement Ministry, and a Volunteer serving in Pastoral Care and Palliative Care at MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital.

Ms. Sheldon-Rubio is a Volunteer at Gilchrist serving in the roles of Ambassador, Companion, Doula, and Gen2Gen Program Mentor. She is the Chair of the ‘Hands of Mercy’ Bereavement Ministry at St. Ambrose Catholic, a Cantor, Choir Member, Rapid Response Team Member, and Church Environment Committee Member.

ED NOLLEY, JR, Ambassador, Volunteer & Doula, Gilchrist

Since 2014, Mr. Nolley has been volunteering at Gilchrist, serving as a Doula and companion to individuals approaching the end of life. In addition, he is a leader in Gilchrist’s We Honor Veterans Program and has led hundreds of salute ceremonies for Veterans Day across residential care communities and in the homes of veterans. He is chair of the Gilchrist Ambassador Team, whose volunteer members contact organizations regarding end-of-life decisions, hospice, related aspects, and the wonders of Gilchrist.

 

We hope you can join us!
Sincerely,
Robert G. Carpenter
President & CEO

For questions or help registering, please contact
Cortney Caronna, Senior Marketing Associate | emailus@bwfa.com | 410-461-3900