Aging, Death and Dying Workshops

September 11- Pastor Debbie Sperry is an ordained elder of the United Methodist Church. She has been accompanying people through the grief and dying for all of her 20+ years in ministry. She will guide the group through discussions about how we think and feel about death and how to face death (ours or someone else’s) with compassion, grace, and groundedness. 

September 18 - Diane Tribble the Director of Information & Assistance with Aging and Adult Care will share about in-home care, respite care, and related finances. Tribble’s career began in public relations for the tree fruit industry in 1995 but took a different direction after her mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2002. The journey from daughter to full-time caregiver gave Diane an understanding of the challenges families face when caring for a loved one. She learned first-hand about the hardships and the joys this experience creates and has committed her current work to make that journey easier for others.

September 25 - Carmen Gamble a support group facilitator for caregivers of people with dementia from Washington State Alzheimer's Association will discuss how we can support our loved ones with dementia. Gamble is an 80-year-old, retired church secretary from Christ Center in Cashmere. She was a caregiver at home for 12 years for her husband Norm who now lives at Lake Ridge Center in Moses Lake. She will share how important a Support Group is to caregivers. You are not alone. Many others share this uninvited journey.

October 2 - Julia Frisbie the Executive Director of Faith Foundation Northwest will share about will writing, planning your legacy, and probate. Frisbie is a Stanford graduate and a lifelong United Methodist. She led the United Methodists Greater Northwest Imagine. Julia’s workshop is designed to help you think through the ways that your assets will be distributed upon your death. If you know you need to write or update a will and are having a hard time getting around to it, this workshop is for you. Julia will demystify probate, living trusts, estate tax, and more.

October 9 - Brian Ross is the Prearrangement Specialist at Jones & Jones – Betts Funeral Home in Wenatchee. He has been helping families preplan their cremation and funeral services for the past 10 ½ years. Previously, Brian served for 26 years in full-time pastoral ministry. Together with his wife Sarah, they raised 4 children and currently have 8 grandchildren. During Brian’s presentation, he will share all aspects of preplanning; the process of planning ahead, the options available, as well as the benefits for those we leave behind. There will be a time for questions and answers following the presentation.

October 16 - Allison Keeler BSN, RN, CHPN has worked in hospice for ten years. She has been a certified hospice and palliative care nurse since 2017. Alison recently graduated from the University of Washington Palliative Care Training Center to obtain a graduate certificate in palliative care. She is certified in advance care planning through Respecting Choices and is a trained teacher through Honoring Choices Pacific Northwest to teach clinicians communication skills that support conversations with those who have a serious illness. Alison takes pride in supporting persons and their loved ones through their serious illness journey through compassionate conversations and ensuring effective symptom management.

October 23 - Allison Pasta is a Financial Advisor at Corebridge Financial. With over a decade of experience in the financial industry, Allison has a wealth of knowledge from her time as a loan officer with Numerica Credit Union and now as a junior advisor at Corebridge Financial. She is passionate about helping individuals achieve financial freedom. Allison will cover investment planning, debt consolidation, and goal setting. She will also delve into the often-overlooked aspects of financial planning, including the importance of life insurance, long-term care insurance, and planning for unexpected events like the death of a spouse or dependent. 

October 30 - Stephanie Matthews a Sr Loan Officer with Guild Mortgage will be sharing about reverse mortgages and strategies to stay in your homes. Matthews has over 30 years of experience in banking and mortgage lending, with 25 years focused on loan origination. She excels at simplifying the mortgage process for her clients, helping them achieve their dreams. A Wenatchee native and FUMC church member, she enjoys hiking, skiing, adventure travel, theater, reading, knitting, and gardening.