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 be 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 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 online 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
Website Sponsor Messages
Our website is sponsored this month in loving memory of:
TIMOTHY GLENDINNING
In Memory of Timothy
It is 6 years since we had a final ‘see ya later’ at your college on Labor Day. Who would have ever thought that was our last minute together. A lot has happened since that day, and I thought I would let you know some of the things we have done In Memory of Timothy:
Your final resting place is just down the road in Mt. Vernon Cemetery, we all go there to have time with you, and I always talk to you about many things over the last 6 years, I appreciate you listening to all of us.
Endicott College has a granite bench gifted by your Class of 2019, it overlooks the water fountain in the pond, I often go there and leave a green bracelet with your name on it from the college.
There is a Memorial Brick on the Endicott walkway along the pond, In Memory of Timothy, Class of 2019.
St. Peter’s church in Harwich also has a Memorial Brick in the garden, In Memory of Timothy, along with one for Besa (grandmother) and her parents and her brother.
The Ipswich Country Club has a plaque on the sixth hole “Another Day in Paradise” In Memory of Tim. We go there and plant flowers on 9/5 and then we go to the Agawam diner for breakfast just like you did with the Green’s Crew on many mornings.
I put up a skateboard/cross near the area where this all started In Memory of Timothy, with the inscription ‘You Will Always Be A Gull’ as noted by Endicott President-Doc Wylie.
Your old BFN (Be F…ing Nice) sign-off is often used on items: Boats, Bikes, Scooters, anywhere I think you might get a kick out of your old hash tag In Memory of Timothy.
We have a life size poster of you (photo from Endicott while you were out on the trail) in the kitchen. It has caught a few folks by surprise, but it’s nice to see your smile greet us in the morning, noon, or night.
We miss you every day, and on your angel day of 9/5, the ‘In Memory of Timothy” moment will be stronger than ever. You will always be in our hearts and prayers, we love you, and one day we will have that smile together like we did when we said ‘see ya later’…
Love,
Mom, Dad and Katherine
Meeting Updates
Our next chapter meetings will be held on:
Tuesday - 9/5/23 - 7:00 PM
Online Video Meeting
(E-mail invitation to follow)
You may also contact tcfnoshoreconnect@gmail.com
to request an invitation
Topic: Open Sharing Session
Facilitator: TBD
Wednesday - 9/20/23 - 7:00 PM
Online Video Meeting
(E-mail invitation to follow)
You may also contact tcfnoshoreconnect@gmail.com
to request an invitation
Topic: How Grief is Affected by Seasonal Changes
Facilitator: TBD
-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: Dealing With Other Family Members' Grief
Wednesday - 9/27/21
7:00 PM
In-Person Meeting
(Meeting will be limited to 15 participants)
Please contact tcfnoshoreconnect@gmail.com
if you would like to attend
Topic: Open Sharing Session
Facilitators: TBD
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 for upcoming TCF events:
WALK TO REMEMBER
SUNDAY
9/10/23
9 AM - 12 PM
Ipswich River Park
15 Central Street
No. Reading, MA
Click here for additional information:
Website Sponsor Messages
Our website is sponsored this month in loving memory of:
TIMOTHY GLENDDINING
In Memory of Timothy
It is 6 years since we had a final ‘see ya later’ at your college on Labor Day. Who would have ever thought that was our last minute together. A lot has happened since that day, and I thought I would let you know some of the things we have done In Memory of Timothy:
Your final resting place is just down the road in Mt. Vernon Cemetery, we all go there to have time with you, and I always talk to you about many things over the last 6 years, I appreciate you listening to all of us.
Endicott College has a granite bench gifted by your Class of 2019, it overlooks the water fountain in the pond, I often go there and leave a green bracelet with your name on it from the college.
There is a Memorial Brick on the Endicott walkway along the pond, In Memory of Timothy, Class of 2019.
St. Peter’s church in Harwich also has a Memorial Brick in the garden, In Memory of Timothy, along with one for Besa (grandmother) and her parents and her brother.
The Ipswich Country Club has a plaque on the sixth hole “Another Day in Paradise” In Memory of Tim. We go there and plant flowers on 9/5 and then we go to the Agawam diner for breakfast just like you did with the Green’s Crew on many mornings.
I put up a skateboard/cross near the area where this all started In Memory of Timothy, with the inscription ‘You Will Always Be A Gull’ as noted by Endicott President-Doc Wylie.
Your old BFN (Be F…ing Nice) sign-off is often used on items: Boats, Bikes, Scooters, anywhere I think you might get a kick out of your old hash tag In Memory of Timothy.
We have a life size poster of you (photo from Endicott while you were out on the trail) in the kitchen. It has caught a few folks by surprise, but it’s nice to see your smile greet us in the morning, noon, or night.
We miss you every day, and on your angel day of 9/5, the ‘In Memory of Timothy” moment will be stronger than ever. You will always be in our hearts and prayers, we love you, and one day we will have that smile together like we did when we said ‘see ya later’…
Love,
Mom, Dad and Katherine
Chapter Meeting Updates
Our October 2023 chapter meetings
will be held on:
Tuesday, 9/5/23 - 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
Facilitators: TBD
Wednesday - 9/20/23 - 7:00 PM
Online Video Meeting
(Email invitation to follow)
You may also contact tcfnoshoreconnect@gmail.com
to request an invitation
Topic: How Grief is Affected by Seasonal Changes
Facilitator: TBD
-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: Dealing With Other Family Members' Grief
Wednesday - 9/27/23 - 7:00 PM
In-Person Meeting
Please contact tcfnoshoreconnect@gmail.com
if you would like to attend
Topic: Open Sharing Session
Facilitator: TBD
Click here for our 2023 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 month in loving memory of:
KAYLA ANNE BELL
Do not stand
By my grave, and weep,
I am not there,
I do not sleep--
I am the thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints in snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain,
I am the gentle, autumn rain.
As you awake with morning's hush,
I am the swift, up-flinging rush
Of quiet birds in circling flight.
I am the day transcending night.
Do not stand
By my grave, and cry--
I am not there,
I did not die.
(By Clare Harner)
We love you and miss you, Kayla
Love, Mom, Dad & Kieran
BRIANNA LEE PAUL
They say that when we look
into the night sky,
the starlight that appears
was generated millions of years ago –
yet here we are this night taking it in,
seeing it and feeling it.
You died over 14 years ago
but we continue to see your presence
in all those that have known you.
Many years from now,
perhaps a thousand years hence,
a laugh, a smile, a twinkle in an eye
will testify to your life and your light.
We love you, Brianna.
Dad, Mom, Erin and Eden
Event Updates
See information below for upcoming TCF events:
WALK TO REMEMBER
Sunday, September 10, 2023
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 month in loving memory of:
JASON DIXEY
Always in our hearts
Love, Mom and Dad,
Adam, Peyton and Riley
TODD MacDONALD
To Todd,
the most wonderful son
we could ever have hoped to
be in our lives for 38 years.
Far too short a time,
you are loved and missed
more than words can say.
We are comforted by the knowledge
that you were loved
by your friends and your coworkers
who continue to embrace your memory.
Love, Mom, Dad & Tracy
Event Updates
See information below for upcoming TCF events:
Click here for additional information:
Website Sponsor Messages
Our website is sponsored this month in
loving memory of:
DANIEL NOAH FINE
Remembering Daniel Noah Fine
on the 23rd anniversary of his passing
We remember our son and brother Danny for his nurturing way-
caring for other people's feelings, for his uncompromising honesty,
sincerity, generosity, and sense of fairness.
He strove for perfection in everything he did,
whether rowing on his college's crew team, academics, or work.
He experienced a spiritual maturing during the early months of his illness
when he thanked us, his parents, for giving him life.
He faced his illness with extraordinary courage and dignity,
never complaining or expressing anger or asking, "Why me?"
He would have been a wonderful father and we lost the promise of
how much more he had to offer as a human being.
Although his life was far too short, we will love him forever.
Always in our hearts and minds.
Mom, Dad, Aron and Rebecca
TIMOTHY GLENDINNING
Dear Timothy,
10/27/1996 is your day of birth, it will always be a Miracle Day for me and your mom.
Our last letter together, spoke of our last day together and this letter I would like to talk about our first day together. It is a miracle, after 10 years of medical treatments, your mom was never giving up until you showed up at the hospital. I remember that day, Mom went to the doctor, got an ultrasound, and brought home your photo as though you were posing for the camara. We could see your chubby cheeks and there was even a bit of a smile. You showed up the next day on 10/27, looking exactly like your ultrasound photo, smile and all.
I cannot express the joy, love, and happiness from that first moment when I saw you and held you in my arms. Your Mom and I could not take our eyes off you as you slept in our arms, it was a miracle. We did not think of all the years, all the miles traveled from one doctor to the next, that did not matter, what mattered was we had our Timothy Christian finally. This day, your birthday, has always been more important to us than you know, and will always be a miracle day.
Every birthday for the last 10-15 years, I would give you a model car and write that year on the car. I still do that and have a collection since your passing, on a special shelf unit I made for them. Some people may think it’s unusual, but it’s my way to recognize that miracle day, your birthday, and I will do it this 10/27 and for as long as I can. Our first day together as it has been said… “I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship”. Our love, joy and friendship will always be in our hearts. We miss you and love you, especially on this miracle day…your birthday, our first day together, 10/27/1996.
Love,
Mom, Dad and Katherine
Meeting Updates
Our next chapter meetings will be held on:
Monday - 10/4/21
7:30 PM
Online Video Meeting
(E-mail invitation to follow)
You may also contact
to request an invitation
Wednesday - 10/20/21
7:00 PM
In-Person Meeting
(Meeting will be limited to 15 participants)
Please contact
if you would like to attend
Topic: Anger / Guilt / Regrets / Forgiveness
Facilitator: Carmen
-and-
Sibling Online Video Meeting
(E-mail invitation to follow)
You may also contact
Aimeeb15@gmail.com
if you would like to participate
Topic: Open Sharing Session
Wednesday - 10/27/21
7:30 PM
Online Video Meeting
(E-mail invitation to follow)
You may also contact
to request an invitation
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.