North Shore-Boston Chapter
The Compassionate Friends
North Shore - Boston Chapter
Grief Support after the Death of a Child
This website is dedicated to the memory of all of our children.
The Mission of The Compassionate Friends is to assist families toward the positive resolution of grief following the death of a child of any age and to provide information to help others be supportive.
We are a national, nonprofit, self-help organization that offers friendship, understanding and hope to bereaved parents, grandparents and siblings. Our meetings are open to all family members who are grieving the death of a child, grandchild or sibling. There is no religious affiliation and no dues or fees.
WE NEED NOT WALK ALONE
WE ARE THE COMPASSIONATE FRIENDS
CHAPTER MEETINGS
Since April 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our chapter began holding bi-monthly online video meetings.
As of January 2021, we added one in-person meeting per month to our meeting schedule.
The in-person meetings are held on the fourth Wednesday of each month. The online video meetings are held on the first Monday and the third Wednesday of each month. If the first Monday of the month happens to fall on a holiday, that meeting will be re-scheduled to the first Tuesday of the month.
Sibling online video meetings are held on the third Wednesday of each month.
More detailed information about our upcoming chapter meetings can be found below in the Chapter Meeting Updates column.
An email invitation will be sent to members prior to each meeting. You may also request an invitation by emailing tcfnoshoreconnect@gmail.com to let us know that you would like to participate.
In addition to our chapter meetings, other support options are listed below:
1) TCF Live Chats: The National TCF website offers scheduled Live Chat sessions on different days and with different topics. The details can be found here: National TCF Live Chat Schedule
2) Private Facebook Groups: TCF offers several private Facebook groups facilitated by bereaved parents, grandparents or siblings. They can be accessed here: TCF Private Facebook Groups
3) TCF North Shore-Boston Facebook Page: Our chapter has its own Facebook page that is active with members from our chapter. You can access it here: TCF North Shore-Boston Facebook Page
CHAPTER UPDATES
Since April 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our chapter stopped holding in-person meetings and began holding bi-monthly online video meetings. Starting in January 2021, we added one in-person meeting per month to our meeting schedule.
In recent months, our in-person meetings have received greater attendance than our online video meetings. Because of this change, we have decided to hold two in-person meetings and one online video meeting each month, starting in June 2024.
The in-person meetings will be held on the first Monday and third Wednesday of each month. The online video meetings will be held on the 4th Wednesday of each month. If any of the meeting dates conflicts with a holiday, the meeting will be rescheduled.
Sibling online video meetings will continue to be held on the third Wednesday of each month.
More detailed information about our upcoming chapter meetings can be found below in the chapter Meeting Updates column.
An email invitation will be sent to members prior to each meeting. You may also request an invitation by emailing tcfnoshoreconnect@gmail.com to let us know that you would like to participate.
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We are currently in need of help with managing our chapter website. If anybody has interest in helping out, please contact our Website Manager via email: tcfnoshoreweb@gmail.com
Also, in order to help cover our chapter website fees, we invite our members to sponsor our website for 1 month in memory of their children, grandchildren or siblings. The monthly website sponsor donation is $25 per member and the maximum number of sponsors per month is 2. Sponsors may post a message to their children, grandchildren or siblings; this message will be displayed in the Website Sponsor column on the Home page of our website and will also appear in our chapter newsletter.
If you would like to sponsor our chapter website, please contact our Website Manager via email: tcfnoshoreweb@gmail.com
Website sponsor signup sheets are also available at our in-person meetings.
ADDITIONAL SUPPORT OPTIONS
In addition to our chapter meetings, other support options are listed below:
1) TCF Live Chats
The National TCF website offers scheduled Live Chat sessions on different days and with different topics. The details can be found here:
National TCF Live Chat Schedule
2) Private Facebook Groups
TCF offers several private Facebook groups facilitated by bereaved parents, grandparents or siblings. They can be accessed here:
3) TCF North Shore-Boston
Facebook Page
Our chapter has its own Facebook page that is active with members from our chapter. You can access it here:
Website Sponsor Messages
Our website is sponsored this July in loving memory of:
ALYSSA MAY JOY
There are some who bring
a light so great to the world,
That even after they are gone,
the light remains.
Alyssa May Joy
August 20, 1974 - November 14, 2022
Love you always and forever,
Dad
TOM & CHRISTOPHER POPE
Christopher,
You would have turned 30 this year.
Your twin brother mentioned to me
a few years ago that he hates
celebrating his birthday because
it’s not fair that he got to keep living
and you didn’t.
You will always be a part of us.
Tom,
As your nephew and niece are growing,
our memories of when you were their age
pop into our heads more frequently . . .
so many happy ones.
You are an incredible gift to our family.
We are forever united.
We send our love to both of you!
Mom & Dad, Dave,
Kelly, Ian, Tom & Nell
Event Updates
See information below on upcoming TCF events:
WALK TO REMEMBER
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 22
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
IPSWICH RIVER PARK
19 CENTRAL STREET
NORTH READING, MA
Click here for additional information:
Website Sponsor Messages
Our website is sponsored this July in loving memory of:
ALYSSA MAY JOY
There are some who bring
a light so great to the world,
That even after they are gone,
the light remains.
Alyssa May Joy
August 20, 1974 - November 14, 2022
Love you always and forever,
Dad
TOM & CHRISTOPHER POPE
Christopher,
You would have turned 30 this year.
Your twin brother mentioned to me
a few years ago that he hates
celebrating his birthday because
it’s not fair that he got to keep living
and you didn’t.
You will always be a part of us.
Tom,
As your nephew and niece are growing,
our memories of when you were their age
pop into our heads more frequently . . .
so many happy ones.
You are an incredible gift to our family.
We are forever united.
We send our love to both of you!
Mom & Dad, Dave,
Kelly, Ian, Tom & Nell
Event Updates
See information below on upcoming TCF events:
WALK TO REMEMBER
SUNDAY, SEPTMEBER 22
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
IPSWICH RIVER PARK
15 CENTRAL STREET
NORTH READING, MA
Click here for additional information:
Website Sponsor Messages
Our website is sponsored this August in loving memory of:
BRIANNA LEE PAUL
Always Together
"You are here
we know that now
for the longest time
there was only loss
but it was us who wandered
and now you are found"
Love you forever-Always together
Mom, Dad, Erin & Eden
KAYLA ANNE BELL
We should all try to be more like Piglet when someone we love is having a difficult day.
"Today was a Difficult Day," said Pooh.
There was a pause.
"Do you want to talk about it?" asked Piglet.
"No," said Pooh after a bit. "No, I don't think I do."
"That's okay," said Piglet, and he came and sat beside his friend.
"What are you doing?" asked Pooh.
"Nothing, really," said Piglet. "Only, I know what Difficult Days are like. I quite often don't feel like talking about it on my Difficult Days either.
"But goodness," continued Piglet, "Difficult Days are so much easier when you know you've got someone there for you. And I'll always be here for you, Pooh."
And as Pooh sat there, working through in his head his Difficult Day, while the solid, reliable Piglet sat next to him quietly, swinging his little legs...he thought that his best friend had never been more right.
We love you and miss you, Kayla.
Love, Mom, Dad and Kieran
Event Updates
See information below on upcoming TCF events:
WALK TO REMEMBER
SUNDAY, SEPTMEBER 22
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
IPSWICH RIVER PARK
15 CENTRAL STREET
NORTH READING, MA
Click here for additional information:
Website Sponsor Messages
Our website is sponsored this February in loving memory of:
GALE McLAUGHLIN
February 24th you would have been 55 in 2024.
I still look at that picture of you
at 17 months and guess I will
always wonder what our life
would have been like had you lived!
We look at your picture,
though not with sadness,
but with the joy of knowing
that you would be happy
how our life has gone on these years.
We have three wonderful
sons and their wives
and five beautiful granddaughters!
We are truly blessed!
So yes, we are joyful,
but will always miss you, Gale,
and always wonder if you were here,
what life would be like,
one of those unanswered questions for sure!
Love, Mom and Dad
JASON M. DIXEY
There are some who bring
a light so great to the world,
that even after they have gone,
the light remains.
You are so loved
and missed every day.
Keep sending rainbows.
Love, Mom, Dad,
Adam, Peyton and Riley
Chapter Meeting Updates
Our February 2024 chapter meetings
will be held on:
Monday, 2/5/24 - 7:00 PM
Online Video Meeting
(Email invitation to follow)
You may also contact tcfnoshoreconnect@gmail.com
to request an invitation
Topic: Open Sharing Session
Wednesday - 2/21/24 - 7:00 PM
Online Video Meeting
(Email invitation to follow)
You may also contact tcfnoshoreconnect@gmail.com
to request an invitation
Topic: Open Sharing Session
-and-
Sibling Online Video Meeting - 7:30 PM
(Email invitation to follow)
You may also contact Aimeeb15@gmail.com
if you would like to participate
Topic: Finding Out Your Sibling Died
Wednesday - 2/28/24 - 7:00 PM
In-Person Meeting
Please contact tcfnoshoreconnect@gmail.com
if you would like to attend
Topic: Coping With Everyday Life
Click here for our 2024 schedule:
In the event of inclement weather, necessitating the closing of
North Reading public schools, our in-person chapter meetings
will also be canceled.
Website Sponsor Messages
Our website is sponsored this November
in loving memory of:
JIMMY KIRIAKOS
Someone is Missing
Let this be a loving reminder
That someone is missing today,
Someone our hearts still hold on to,
As we travel along life’s way.
Someone who made life so special,
For all those who gather here
Someone who won’t be forgotten,
But cherished from year to year.
And now, as we pause to remember,
Let us all fondly recall
How dearly each of us loved him,
And oh how he loved us all!
We miss you Jimmy so very much!
Love, Your Family & Friends
CARY DEAN THABET
“God Looked Around His garden and found an empty place.
He then looked down upon the earth and saw your tired face.
He put His arms around you and lifted You to rest.
God’s garden must be beautiful, he always takes the best.
He saw the road was getting rough and the hills were hard to climb
So He closed your weary eyelids and whispered, “Peace be thine.”
It broke our hearts to lose you, but you did not go alone.
For part of us went with you the day God called you home.”
My dear Cary, I know the pain you felt
the moment we learned the news of Jamie,
you suffered, you are now at peace,
and I miss you both every day.
You and Jamie are the best thing
that ever happened to me.
You made me the happiest I have ever been and the saddest I will ever be.
I love you my sweet boys…until we meet again.
Love you to the heavens and back…
Love Mum
Meeting Updates
Our December 2023 chapter meetings will be held on:
Monday - 12/423
7:00 PM
Online Video Meeting
(E-mail invitation to follow)
You may also contact
to request an invitation
Topic: Open Sharing Session
Wednesday - 12/20/23
7:00 PM
Online Video Meeting
(E-mail invitation to follow)
You may also contact
to request an invitation
Topic: Open Sharing Session
-and-
Sibling Online Video Meeting
7:30 PM
(E-mail invitation to follow)
You may also contact Aimeeb15@gmail.com
if you would like to participate
Topic: Self Care After a Loss
Wednesday - 12/27/23
7:00 PM
In-Person Meeting
Please contact
if you would like to attend
Topic: Open Sharing Session
Click here for our 2023 schedule:
In the event of inclement weather, necessitating the closing of North Reading public schools, our chaper meeting will also be canceled.
Event Updates
See information below on upcoming TCF events:
CANDLELIGHT REMEMBRANCE SERVICE
SUNDAY
12/10/23
6:30 PM
Aldersgate United Methodist Church
235 Park Street
No. Reading, MA
Click here for additional information:
Website Sponsor Messages
Our website is sponsored this October in
loving memory of:
KAYLA ANNE BELL
YOU DON’T JUST LOSE SOMEONE ONCE
You lose them over and over, sometimes many times a day.
When the loss, momentarily forgotten, creeps up, and attacks you from behind.
Fresh waves of grief as the realization hits home, they are gone.
Again.
You don’t just lose someone once, you lose them every time you
open your eyes to a new dawn, and as you awaken, so does your memory,
so does the jolting bolt of lightning that rips into your heart, they are gone.
Again.
Losing someone is a journey, not a one-off.
There is no end to the loss, there is only a learned skill on
how to stay afloat, when it washes over.
Be kind to those who are sailing this stormy sea,
they have a journey ahead of them, and a daily shock to the system
each time they realize, they are gone,
Again.
You don’t just lose someone once, you lose them every day, for a lifetime.
( By Donna Ashworth)
We love you and miss you, Kayla
Love, Mom, Dad & Kieran
TIMOTHY GLENDINNING
Gifts From Timothy
October 27th is your 27th Birthday, I have given you models over the years with your birth date on it, but since you left us 6 years ago last month, I want to thank you for several of the gifts you have given all of us. Your gifts have certainly kept our connection of love for you as strong as ever for evermore.
Here are a few of the Gifts From Timothy:
The day after you left us, in our back yard from the woods, the male bucks came out to meet and somehow have their own send off for you. The feeling/energy in the air made the hairs on my arms stand-up. Weeks later while up in your room, there was Besa’s painting she did for you years earlier of the ‘Buck in the Forest’, it looked exactly like that evening in our back yard, A Gift From Timothy.
One year later, Mom and I were up having dinner with Katherine in Portland, and it was the first anniversary of your angel date, a very tough day. As we drove away at the traffic light was a red convertible sports car. As it pulled away from the light, the license plate read: ‘For Tim’, another Gift From Timothy.
Many of your friends stopped by after losing you, and Collin told us of your last tagging (your spray painting on the overpass by MASCO). To drive by and see your artwork, as though you were just here making your final mark for us to find, A Gift From Timothy.
We feel you in the woods, at the beach, any time nature’s beauty takes our breath away, you are here with us. The sunsets, the morning sun rises, the still moments after a snow fall in winter, the autumn colors, it’s all a Gift From Timothy.
I always smile and say thank you, no need to question how it happened or any concerns why, it’s all a Gift From Timothy.
We appreciate these gifts, please keep them coming, wherever and whenever. We miss you and love you every single moment evermore.
Love, Mom, Dad and Katherine
Meeting Updates
Our November 2023 chapter meetings will be held on:
Monday - 12/4/23
Online Video Meeting - 7:00 PM
(E-mail invitation to follow)
You may also contact
to request an invitation
Topic: Open Sharing Session
Wednesday - 11/15/23
Online Video Meeting - 7:00 PM
(E-mail invitation to follow)
You may also contact
to request an invitation
Topic: Open Sharing Session
-and-
Sibling Online Video Meeting - 7:30 PM
(E-mail invitation to follow)
You may also contact
if you would like to participate
Topic: Self Care After a Loss
Wednesday - 12/27/23
In-Person Meeting - 7:00 PM
Please contact
if you would like to attend
Topic: Open Sharing Session
Click here for our 2023 schedule:
In the event of inclement weather, necessitating the closing of North Reading public schools, our chapter meeting will also be canceled.