Barbara Bennett

Barbara and her husband live in Seattle, with a peek-a-boo view of the Salish Sea and the Olympic Mountains and within a few miles of their children and grandchildren. Although now retired, Barbara helped found and worked for many years as school psychologist and administrator at First Place, a school for homeless children with support services for their families. The last years of her career were spent consulting with Seattle Public Schools and leading workshops throughout the country on the impact of emotional trauma--a topic in which she had been well-instructed by the children and families of First Place. She also taught psychology classes to extraordinarily bright and motivated students of University Beyond Bars at a high-security prison in Monroe, Washington.

Barbara and her husband are members of Port Townsend Friends Meeting (Quaker) and Plymouth United Church of Christ in Seattle. They also regularly drum with friends, usually on beautiful Marrowstone Island while listening to eagles, ravens, and the occasional passing boat.

“Barbara Bennett breaks new ground in this memoir, which proves that parenting doesn’t stop after death, but in fact is a relationship that extends in all directions, across time. A tender tribute and beautifully written testament to the fact that love never dies.”

–Emily Rapp Black, NYT bestselling author of The Still Point of the Turning World, Frida Kahlo and My Left Leg, Poster Child, and Sanctuary

“This beautifully written book demonstrates that even after the death of a child, the bond between a mother and her daughter is forever. Dialogue with Kelsey Before and After My Daughter’s Death shows that the relationship continues on after death through memories, signs and dreams, and conversations. Kelsey’s continued presence in her families’ lives is a reminder to embrace the mystery of life and death and remember (as Kelsey said) “we’re on a journey together.”

–Robin Gaphni, Well-Being Program Manager at Bloedel Reserve and fellow bereaved mom

“A book for anyone who has lost someone, felt loss profoundly, searched for meaning or how to navigate heartfelt devastation. Beautifully written with an unusually skillful and colorful weave of memories and stories of people, places, and events, the pieces that make each of our lives distinctive yet part of a greater whole. Through an ongoing dialogue with Kelsey and her mother the writer on a wide-ranging journey of the spirit, one gets to know an extraordinary young woman, feel her loss, and how out of shattering experiences one might begin to build life again.”

–Arthur Dorros, Award-winning author of Abuela and other children’s books

“This book hooked me, heart and soul, in the first chapters. Dialogue with Kelsey: A Conversation with My Daughter Before and After Her Death, overflows with compelling storytelling and vivid Mystery. Barbara Bennett writes beautifully, with open sincerity that draws the reader into a loving relationship that didn’t end with Kelsey’s sudden death at 28. Dialogue with Kelsey offers a poignant montage of their history and continuing connection."

–Christine Betz Hall, executive director of Good News Associates, and founder-director of Way of the Spirit, a Quaker retreat and study program.

“In Dialogue with Kelsey, Barbara Bennett records her journey through the shock of learning a bus killed her daughter to ultimately understanding resilience as she explores Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, and shamanistic practices, in addition to learnings from her Christian background and love of poetry. When she moves from “why me” in response to grave loss to “why not me,” acceptance comes. I am moved by her understanding that she can stay in touch emotionally and spiritually with her beloved daughter whose words continue to help her see again beauty in nature, family, friendships, and the companioning of others suffering loss. “

–Sheila Bender, A New Theology: Turning to Poetry in a Time of Grief and Since Then: Poems and Short Prose.