He Lost His Wife to Dementia; It Was a Slow Goodbye

When W. F. "Bill" Cento lost his wife of 42 years to dementia, it was a long slow goodbye of five years.

Then, after Vera Ann Cento died in December, 20006; the long-time and now retired St. Paul Pioneer Press newsman was left to sort out and cope with his grief.

Tonight (Oct. 8), Cento is scheduled to share his personal grief journey as the fourth speaker in a six-week series called “Growing Through Loss.”  The latest session begins at 7 p.m. at  1215 Roselawn Ave. W. Registration begins at 6:45 p.m.

I have more than a passing interest in what Cento has to say: During the years that I worked at the Pioneer Press, Cento was one of my bosses. Our mutual love of journalism has been tie that has connected us through the years.

But as I have been reading Bill's book "Alone, For All Those Who Grieve," I have felt a kinship with him on another level. In the past year, I have had my father Roger and mother-in-law Mary pass away. Both died in their late 80s and I miss them both. 

While I have not put my thoughts down in writing; Cento did, penning a book (copyright 2011 by Tasora Books) that is a collection of short vignettes and poems, filled with plenty of raw emotion. In his book, Cento talks about caregiving, loss, memories, recovery and healing.

Cento's book can be purchased through, among others, Barnes & Noble and amazon.com.

Meanwhile, the six-week "Growing Through Loss" series is meant to provide support for those who have lost a spouse, child, parent, friend or sibling. It is also for people dealing with a divorce or separation; pregnancy loss; loss to suicide; job change; or relocation, according to program organizers.

There is no fee but donations are welcome. Free childcare is available but call a week in advance so that program organizers are prepared to care for your children.

For more information, call 763-755-5335 or visit its website at www.growingthroughloss.org.

Here is the schedule of the remaining sessions:

Oct. 8       
Hope of Recovery: A Personal Grief Journey
W.F. “Bill” Cento
Author, Caregiver and Widower

Oct. 15      
Getting Through the Holidays
Janice Stanton
Chaplain, Benedictine Health Center of Minneapolis

Oct. 22     
Finding God in the Midst of Suffering?
(includes a service of healing and hope)
Rev. Kris Kurzjeski
Associate Pastor, Roseville Lutheran Church