5 Friends Who Lost Their Spouses Within Months of Each Other Show the Power of Friendship Through Grief
Losing a spouse is a heartbreaking life event to have to go through. In 2025, a friend group went through multiple losses when five of them lost their spouses in less than a year. However, Sharon Brierley, Frances Jordon, John Kane, Chris Mullen, and Elaine Wurtenberg came together as friends and became a huge support for one another through their grief.
The first loss in this friend group happened in January; Sharon lost her husband Walt after years of battling lung disease.
Five Friends Lose Their Spouses Within Months of Each Other
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“Walt was a ‘Girl Dad’ before it was a thing,” Sharon says. “He taught them strength, confidence, resilience, and to always have each other’s backs. He was tough when he needed to be and warm and fuzzy the next minute.”
In February, Frances lost her husband, Patrick. He died from a stroke at age 63.
“Pat cherished spending time with his family, going to the movies, sporting events and hanging out with his friends,” Frances says. “He was deeply loved and has been truly missed by all who knew him.”
Patrick and Walt were also cousins and best friends.
Lifelong Friends Begin Walking Through Grief Together
March brought the death of Deirdre, John’s wife of 38 years. She passed away from tongue cancer at the age of 59.
“Deirdre was my best friend, cheerleader, confidant, my rock, my inspiration, my best audience; she laughed at every joke even when she heard them over and over again,” John shares. “She changed my life and saved my life and gave me a life.”
Chris Mullen then lost his wife Eileen in May. She died unexpectedly at 64, after a cardiac arrest.
“My wife Eileen was the love of my life. She was a great wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend,” Chris says. “She was a no-nonsense person who you always knew where you stood with Eileen. She would give a stranger the shirt off her back if they needed it.”
Then in September, Elaine Wurtenberg lost her husband John (Werty), 65, after he was diagnosed with a blood cancer.
“John…was the most dependable man I knew. Whether he was remodeling the homes of friends and family, breaking into a neighbor’s house when she forgot her key, or transporting numerous family members to appointments, everyone knew they could count on him,” Elaine says. “He went above and beyond for our kids as well.”
Regular Gatherings Become a Safe Place to Remember
These losses hit hard for everyone. They lost their spouses but also some of their best friends. It must have been so hard to believe.
That’s when these friends started getting together. On a regular basis. It started as a way to get together to remember their spouses. But the group became much more than that.
The five friends, since they were kids, were now helping each other through one of the hardest parts of their lives: losing a spouse. The group continues to meet, from going out for lunch to meeting at one of their houses.
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Their Story Shows the Power of Not Grieving Alone
“Getting together has helped tremendously,” Sharon shares. “It’s like walking into a ‘safe zone’ where however you feel, whatever you share, no judgment.”
It has been about a year, and they truly cherish their “widows night.” They remember their spouses, share memories, and face it all together. May we all be able to find people to walk through the more difficult parts of life with.
“Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow.” - Ecclesiastes 4:9
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h/t: PEOPLE
Featured Image Credit: Facebook/PEOPLE
Julie Provost is a GodUpdates staff writer and editor. She lives in Tennessee with her husband, three boys, and little dog Max. She loves to read, go to the movies, and enjoy time with family and friends.
Originally published September 23, 2026.
