Kimberly Baker
Minneapolis, Minnesota
kanbaker@gmail.com
As a hospice social worker, I began by asking people to tell me about themselves. Often, they'd respond that there wasn't much to say because they'd led an ordinary life. And yet, when I inquired about their parents, their childhood home, how they met their spouse, how they chose their career . . . something extraordinary happened. They began to see how unique and rich their own life story was and how valuable it was to tell it to their loved ones. This was their legacy.
Many people begin thinking about their legacy at the end of their lives, but I believe this work can begin at any time. Legacy work helps us to own our story, to reflect on those who have impacted our lives, and to be thoughtful about the impact we'd like to have on others.
I would be honored to work with you to cultivate the stories that have shaped your life and to help you share your love and wisdom. I offer an inclusive and supportive space for all who wish to do this work and can work with you individually or with your group.
Connie Delgado
Minneapolis – Wayzata, Minnesota
connied1944@gmail.com
Moving toward retirement, my interest in my legacy and story have moved front and center. Reflecting on my journey, my many exciting adventures and hard lessons have brought me to today. Writing about the values, revelations, and transformations that shifted and formed me is a gift to myself and my family.
Training as a Certified Legacy facilitator has confirmed the value of Legacy Writing, my personal commitment to writing my own, and facilitating opportunities for others to accept the invitation to write their unique, sacred life legacy reflections. The legacy perspective provides the context and the vehicle to express these precious gifts which are too often lost.
I am excited and grateful to be part of this spiritual practice, this sacred life work, and to support others to generously leave this personal gift of meaning and memory of their lives for those they love.
My life-long passion is supporting women in their self-care through intentional travel. I plan and guide creative travel that offers space for transformation and supports women to see that self-care is part of their spiritual practice. I will host Legacy Retreats and look forward to providing sacred opportunities for interested seniors in a myriad of travel settings.
Barbara S. Fermon
Minneapolis, Minnesota
bsfermon@gmail.com
I hold sacred my ancestry and my children and grandchildren who are the world of the future. Life-Legacy Writing has given me clarity in sharing my values, treasured memories and experiences with my children and children’s children. Legacy writing is a gift from the past, in the present, for the future.
As a certified Life-Legacy facilitator, I hope to help others to open to the clarity and vision of their gifts, their values and learnings for themselves in the present and for their loved ones for the future.
Cammy Iverson
Minneapolis, Minnesota
cammyiverson@gmail.com
I believe that each woman has an extraordinary story to tell; it is my hope and mission to provide for women to come together to write, explore, and unearth their own stories, in their own words, for their own benefit and for future generations.
My great-great grandmother became a physician in 1883 at the age of 42. She served as inspiration to the women in our family for generations. We have discovered, through her legacy, that the impossible just may be possible.
Originally trained as an RN, I earned a B.A. in Spirituality and Holistic Studies at Vermont College in 2003. My focus was generativity and women’s spirituality at midlife. I directed Women’s Ministries at Glenkirk Presbyterian Church in California and have led women’s legacy groups at First Congregational Church, Sheboygan, Wisconsin.
Just as my great-great grandmother’s legacy inspired women in our family, your unique story can leave a lasting legacy for generations to come. It deserves to be told.
Bill Marsella
Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota
b.marsella50@gmail.com
It is my life’s purpose to bring out the best in people, so they can achieve their full human potential, and I’ve lived this purpose in two careers. As an Army Mental Health Officer, I counseled and taught soldiers to cope with the stress of service both on and off the battlefield. And, as a professional philanthropic advisor for nearly 40 years, I’ve helped people give money to the charitable organizations and causes they hold most dear. I’ve incorporated the writing of ethical wills and legacy letters into my recent work, discussing it in one-on-one conversations and presenting it to larger audiences. Most importantly, I’ve personally experienced the joy of writing my own ethical will and legacy letters to those I love in my roles as a son, husband, father and grandfather. I sincerely hope to bring the gift of legacy writing to my community for the rest of my life.
Paula Marie Sandberg
Minneapolis, MN
pms1963@Icloud.com
Legacy is more than the reputation you leave behind. It’s about knowing what's important to you, how you want to be remembered, and how you remember those you care about. Legacy writing creates clarity in how to live your own life while passing on stories, blessings and wisdom.
The loss of my precious Mother when I was just 16 years old left a hole that was never filled. There was so much I wish I had known about her. Many of her stories were lost long along the way. Now, many years later, I have experienced healing (hers and mine) through writing and sharing with those dear to me.
My life passion is dedicated to developing programs, teaching and empowering others to create a purposeful life for themselves. I am an instructor and group facilitator for those with life-threatening/chronic illnesses, the aging population, teachers and teens and have developed and taught many courses and programs that address the participants' psycho-social needs for living life to the fullest, including healing techniques, emotional support, and guided meditation.
I am committed to sharing the gift of legacy writing with individuals and groups, guiding those who have so much to discover, reveal and share with their loved ones.
Karen West
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Karenw0214@gmail.com
In his book From Age-ing to Sage-ing, Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi proposed a "new model of late-life development called sage-ing, a process that enables older people to become spiritually radiant, physically vital, and socially responsible 'elders of the tribe.'" Sage-ing International (sage-ing.org) is now doing this work internationally. In the second half of our lives, we can choose to live more consciously and intentionally. And if we choose this path, life review becomes very important. As we look back over our lives with fresh eyes, we will become more aware of how we came to be the person we are. Legacy writing gives us a way to share these insights with the people we care about.
As a Certified Sage-ing Leader (see www.saging.org), I approach legacy writing within this larger context. As you begin writing legacy letters, you will begin to see the world through a legacy lens, and you will be amazed to see how much this process deepens your relationships. It is truly a transformative experience. After you've written one legacy letter, you will find all kinds of occasions when you'll want to write another.
Please contact me if you're interested in getting involved in this life-changing work.
Lynne Kotzke
St. Paul, Minnesota
Dotze1989@comcast.net
My educational background, career, and volunteer activities have all focused on public service, primarily in the environmental field. During those years, I became interested in the power of storytelling (in writing and through oral tradition) to unite us and to help us solve complex public problems. I have always been fascinated by the ways that stories allow us to discover grace and wisdom in the day-to-day experiences we have.
A lifetime hobby of mine has been writing letters by hand, which is another powerful mechanism for sharing and documenting stories and experiences with friends and loved ones. While researching the topic of handwritten letters for a book I was working on, I discovered Rachael Freed’s writings about Legacy Letters. Her efforts to encourage Legacy Letter writing fit closely with my own interests in promoting letter writing as one of the most significant and meaningful activities we can engage in.
I would be honored to assist others in their journeys to express their most authentic selves and most cherished life experiences through the writing of Legacy Letters. Few other gifts can surpass Legacy Letters in terms of importance, value, and inter-generational impact.
Michael Ziomko
Minneapolis, MN
mziomko@umn.edu
Beyond your money and what happens to it, and beyond what you say to others about yourself, your dreams, and your shortcomings – your legacy is best shared as a written testament of who you are, what you’ve done, and what you value. Write it down more than once, and share it with as many as you love or would like to love.
I don’t mean to be cryptic…but in my career talking with folks about their estates, their lives, and their vanished dreams, I’ve learned that simple things – like the expression of a feeling or the sharing of a story about themselves can convey so much and teach so much. And I’ve watched people consistently diminish the importance of it and then in the end just not do it!
This is my wish for you – pull your life together in a way you hadn’t expected you could. Write down who you are, the lessons you’ve learned, and the hopes you have for the next generation. I’ll help you in the process.
I continue my financial, charitable, and estate planning work professionally, as well as my community-building work with Empty Bowls, building community and feeding folks who are hungry.
