Greenville Community and Support Group for Widows

Our Mission for Widows

We serve to empower widows to lean into life, build resilience and make a positive difference in society.

Modern Widows Club is designed to create a safe and private environment for widows to lean into life together through the journey.

We are the club no one wants to be in because you only get in by virtue of experiencing a great loss. Yet what I hope you find once you’re here is that you’re surrounded by a community of really amazing women that you can lean on and learn from. We’re widows helping widows to live- to go upward and onward. Sometimes we cry and sometimes we laugh. We talk about how to tackle challenges without our partners’ help and cheer each other on. We often share food as we do this, because who doesn’t like to eat?

When a woman loses her loved one she tends to feel very alone. Regardless of her age or circumstances, she will benefit from other women in her life who understand the unique challenges she is now faced with. She needs women who will build her up and encourage her in this new life she walks. We are stronger together. No woman is an island. We need each other.

Meet Our Community Advocates

Nicki T.

A southern transplant, I was born in Vermont—during a snowstorm—on April Fool’s Day! I grew up in Philadelphia, and Lexington, Kentucky before moving to South Carolina to attend Furman University. At Furman, I became good friends with my sweet “to be” husband. He graduated 2 years before me, and we lost touch. Subsequently, I married another person, had 2 kids, and lived life here in Greenville, SC.

I loved my life, — my kids were (and are!) great. My career was long and fulfilling, and my passion to teach was fulfilled as I taught special education, regular education, and reading (my love) in a variety of settings and in “jobs” such as teacher, mentor, coordinator of curriculum, consultant and instructional coach. My first husband and I divorced after 24 years of marriage and life was uncertain. Always an active person, I always have been inspired by helping others and being “involved.” While working on building a Habitat home (a Furman Alumni project) – I ran into Will, who was helping with the project. He was living and working as a priest in Washington, DC at the time. It was an “instant” re-connection after 28 years of not seeing each other. He “came back home” to South Carolina, and we were married on 02-02-02 at 2:00 in the Furman Chapel. It was an amazing wedding, relationship, and life. We were true soulmates and best friends. An amazing love story.

All was well, until “tell tale signs” in Will and his behavior began our journey –seeking a diagnosis and possible cure. It was not to be. After a year’s testing at Duke University, Will was diagnosed with Early Onset Alzheimer. He was 59 and I was 57. We were devastated. I retired after 37 years with the school district on 06-06-17. A month later, and after five years of “our” diagnosis, Will died 07-17-17 at 2:00. I was severely debilitated. In November of the following year, I found MWC (online). It has been a God’s send. I was “instantly” supported and loved. My fairy tale life was over, and my daily life forever changed. But, my “wisters” are all around me now—with friendships that have encouraged and carried me through these last 2 ½ years. I am thankful.

Ginny M.

Ginny was married to her childhood sweetheart, Mike, for 47 years. She is the mother of three grown children, two daughters and one son and the proud grandmother of 9, ranging in ages from 2 to 16. In June 2018, Ginny and her husband Mike were given the devastating news that Mike had colon cancer. Although it appeared to be discovered early, it was revealed on a CT scan that Mike also had early stages of small cell lung cancer. Mike began treatment immediately, and after his first round of chemo was complete, he was still able to work full time and enjoy a normal life. The doctors advised they should start working on their bucket list while he was feeling good, so they immediately traveled to Nashville for the CMA Music Fest, Alaska, and a family beach week to Mike’s favorite place of Destin, Fl. Mike continued to feel pretty good for about a year after his diagnosis but began suffering from severe back pain. Further testing revealed the cancer had spread to his spine, and he started another round of chemo. This proved to be more than his body could tolerate, and by early 2020, he could no longer walk up and down stairs and eventually became bedridden. This was all going on during the Covid outbreak; luckily, Ginny’s company allowed her to work from home. Now she could care for Mike in their home and continue to work full time. In May 2020, Mike and Ginny’s children and grandchildren came for a week-long visit and celebrated a belated birthday party for Mike. They shared memories, music, pictures, cake, and lots of love with Mike. It was the happiest and saddest week of their married life all rolled into one. After the family returned to their homes, Mike took a sudden turn for the worse and passed away a few days later.

Several months later, friends mentioned MWC, and out of curiosity, Ginny looked it up online, hoping to learn more. The Greenville community was hosting an outing nearby, and she reluctantly decided to attend. She immediately felt welcomed and as though she had finally found people that understood what she was going through and truly “got her.” After retirement, Ginny decided she would like to get more involved in her MWC community by joining the leadership team to ensure all widows receive the same support and love she has found in her local community.

In addition to MWC, Ginny loves spending time with her family, volunteering in several programs at her church, and working with a local group that serves veterans in her area. She also loves gardening in the yard that she and Mike have spent countless hours working together in over the years.

Our Amazing Sponsor

Thank you to our following Sponsors who graciously partner with us in serving our widowed community. We can’t do this without your support!