EP 85 Working Through Grief, One Recipe at a Time
Thu Feb 05 2026
In this heartfelt episode I sit down with bereavement specialist, grief educator, and author Patti Comeau-Simonson for a deeply meaningful conversation about love, loss, and thriving after 65.
I first met Patti years ago when I helped her e-publish her first book, and it’s been a joy to witness how her life and work have evolved since then. After the loss of her beloved husband, David, when she was 46, Patti’s life took an unexpected turn - one that led her into hospice volunteering, grief education, peer leadership, and authorship.
Now 79, Patti shares how grief didn’t shrink her world - it expanded it. We talk about the power of community, the importance of peer support, and her newest book - Recipes for Healing: Working Through Grief, One Recipe at a Time - how storytelling and food can nourish both body and soul.
Patti also reflects on how cooking became a grounding force during her husband’s illness and a meaningful way to create connection and healing for others.
This episode is a beautiful reminder that it’s never too late to begin again, and that thriving after 65 can be filled with purpose, service, and joy.
In this episode, we talk about:
Turning profound loss into purpose later in lifeWhy peer support matters in grief and healingHow food and storytelling create comfort and connectionWhat thriving after 65 really looks likeWhy it’s never “too late” to live a meaningful lifeLearn more & connect:
Visit Patti’s website here.
Buy Patti’s book: Recipes for Healing: Working Through Grief, One Recipe at a Time here.
If you found inspiration from this conversation, please rate, review and share this episode.
I’d love to hear your thoughts, so be sure to hop on over to Don’t Be Caged By Your Age on LinkedIn or Instagram. Or leave a message on the website here.
☕ Love listening to Don’t Be Caged By Your Age? Join the movement to end ageism and celebrate pro-aging!
For just $5 a cup, you can sponsor the podcast and help:
✨ Amplify inspiring voices
✨ Break age-related stereotypes
✨ Reach more listeners worldwide
💻 Visit: Buy Me A Coffee
Every cup makes a difference - thank you! 🧡
Waving from Boston – cheers!
Ande ♥
CONNECT with me online - I'd love to learn how you're shattering ageism!
https://www.linkedin.com/in/andelyons/
https://www.instagram.com/dontbecagedbyyourage
SPONSORSHIP
If you resonate with the show’s mission of shattering ageism and age-related expectations so folks can thrive after 65, please reach out to me to learn more about making an impact through sponsoring the Don’t Be Caged By Your Age podcast – ande@dontbecagedbyyourage.com.
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In this heartfelt episode I sit down with bereavement specialist, grief educator, and author Patti Comeau-Simonson for a deeply meaningful conversation about love, loss, and thriving after 65. I first met Patti years ago when I helped her e-publish her first book, and it’s been a joy to witness how her life and work have evolved since then. After the loss of her beloved husband, David, when she was 46, Patti’s life took an unexpected turn - one that led her into hospice volunteering, grief education, peer leadership, and authorship. Now 79, Patti shares how grief didn’t shrink her world - it expanded it. We talk about the power of community, the importance of peer support, and her newest book - Recipes for Healing: Working Through Grief, One Recipe at a Time - how storytelling and food can nourish both body and soul. Patti also reflects on how cooking became a grounding force during her husband’s illness and a meaningful way to create connection and healing for others. This episode is a beautiful reminder that it’s never too late to begin again, and that thriving after 65 can be filled with purpose, service, and joy. In this episode, we talk about: Turning profound loss into purpose later in lifeWhy peer support matters in grief and healingHow food and storytelling create comfort and connectionWhat thriving after 65 really looks likeWhy it’s never “too late” to live a meaningful lifeLearn more & connect: Visit Patti’s website here. Buy Patti’s book: Recipes for Healing: Working Through Grief, One Recipe at a Time here. If you found inspiration from this conversation, please rate, review and share this episode. I’d love to hear your thoughts, so be sure to hop on over to Don’t Be Caged By Your Age on LinkedIn or Instagram. Or leave a message on the website here. ☕ Love listening to Don’t Be Caged By Your Age? Join the movement to end ageism and celebrate pro-aging! For just $5 a cup, you can sponsor the podcast and help: ✨ Amplify inspiring voices ✨ Break age-related stereotypes ✨ Reach more listeners worldwide 💻 Visit: Buy Me A Coffee Every cup makes a difference - thank you! 🧡 Waving from Boston – cheers! Ande ♥ CONNECT with me online - I'd love to learn how you're shattering ageism! https://www.linkedin.com/in/andelyons/ https://www.instagram.com/dontbecagedbyyourage SPONSORSHIP If you resonate with the show’s mission of shattering ageism and age-related expectations so folks can thrive after 65, please reach out to me to learn more about making an impact through sponsoring the Don’t Be Caged By Your Age podcast – ande@dontbecagedbyyourage.com.