Exploring Grief Through Poetry

Mark your calendars for Wednesday, April 16 at 1pm at Orcas Senior Center for a heartfelt gathering exploring the journey through grief.

Nancy and Fred Reas moved to Orcas Island in 2011, having spent 25 years visiting Nancy’s father, Bill Urschel here on Orcas. After Fred passed away in 2016 from Alzheimer’s, Nancy found solace in writing poetry. Her deeply personal reflections evolved into Greeting Grief, a collection of poems spanning six years, which she self-published at the encouragement of friends who believed her work could help others.

During this special event, Nancy will read selections from her book and invite attendees to engage in an interactive experience. Participants are welcome to share their own writings about grief or try their hand at expressing their feelings through poetry—even if they’ve never written a poem before.

This gathering offers a supportive space for reflection, connection, and healing.